Dare to Be
2002
Dare To Be… is the premier full-length CD recording for Lisa Bell, presented on the Hapi Skratch Records label. Lisa has taken a fresh look at popular jazz standards to create modern soulful renditions that are all her own. The CD also features her first recorded original, What Can I Do, on which Nelson Rangell adds his magic with Soprano Sax. As an artist, Lisa dares to be different, expressive and musically eclectic. Her first CD reflects her unique style, smooth vocals and a band of musicians second to none. From the first notes of Summertime with a searing Latin beat, to the final In a Sentimental Mood with its exquisitely poignant vocal/guitar arrangement, Lisa Bell’s CD provides variety and excitement for standard and “cool” jazz lovers of all kinds.
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Reviews
Bell is stylish, confident, capable and likable enough to pull it off. Lannie, look out.
“The listener likely won’t be able to tell “Dare to Be…” is the singer’s first professional recording from the silky, jazzy confidence of her voice.”
Lisa Bell’s demo came to FEMMUSIC from a local source. Hearing it there was no choice but to have her here. Bell has a BA in vocal performance from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has performed with Bobby McFerrin and Marilyn Maye. Her vocals are clear as a….you know, and her originals show promise of many great things ahead. The name of her demo is The Sentimental Mood.
“Divas” seem to be everywhere these days, but Lisa Bell can do what many don’t dare to attempt: She can scat. And scat she does, as well as display a wide variety of vocal gymnastics, on “Dare to Be” ….
Although the material that Lisa Bell selected for her debut recording consists of some of the most familiar pieces in the jazz songbook, her approach to the songs not only showcases her considerable vocal talent, but frames some of the material in settings that are more interesting than you might imagine from a simple scan of the track list. A good example is the opening track, an Afro-Cuban arrangement of Gershwin’s “Summertime.” Until hearing it, I would have been hard pressed to find a good reason for yet another version of the tune, but Bell provides the reason both in her performance and approach.
Every track on this CD is given an individual presentation, but the overall sound is one of very professional “cool” jazz with a heart of warmth behind it. In particular, Ms. Bell’s rendition of “My Romance/That’s the Way of the World” represents this dynamic very well….
I would never take a date to go see Lisa Bell perform. When i’m out with a guy, I want the attention on ME and I doubt that anyone hearing what I just heard would keep their eyes off that kind of performer….
Some serious, searing, and sassy jazz fronted by the talented Ms. Bell, whose voice can soothe like butter, ache with pain, and rouse the troops. Jon Glazer soars on piano and a bit of organ, and did most of the arranging. The rest of the band is first-rate as well…
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