Lisa Bell: It's All About Love (2005)

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

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Published: August 18, 2005

Lisa Bell's second album settles in comfortably with a texture that adheres to the tradition of popular music and country & western performance. Ballads and smooth sashays highlight her fragile delivery with comfortable ease.

The vocalist explores smooth jazz on "Don't Wait Forever," where floating lyrics and mellow scat singing combine with flute frills and congas to paint a peaceful landscape mural. "You'll Find Me" sizzles with a light samba attitude, while backup singers, piano, congas, and flute supply convivial refreshments.

"She's Not Right for You" harbors the program's greatest potential with its growling trumpet, strolling upright bass, and slap-dash rhythmic spirit. The aura proves forceful and Bell's interpretation comes close to convincing. However, she opts for a smoother delivery of the poignant theme, letting things lie casually by the wayside. The song's lyrics cry out for a more forceful delivery.

Even the closing number, "Burning Desire," despite its passionate contextual meaning, wraps things up by combining her nonchalant vocal delivery with a sultry soprano saxophone (EWI)-guided smooth jazz statement that includes surround-sound keyboard swirls and a mechanical percussion parade.

Most of the album remains nestled comfortably in the realm of popular music. Bell's song interpretations knit naturally with our daily lives. Her performance, while lightweight, offers a pleasant look at the world of music from an everyday viewpoint.

Track Listing: It's All About Love; When I Wish; Don�t Wait Forever; She's Not Right for You; Ain't Divorce Grand; Along the Beaches; Here I Am; Mary Had a Little Plan; You'll Find Me; Faraway Fiends; When You Look for Love; Burning Desire.

Personnel: Lisa Bell: vocals, background vocals; John Armstrong: piano; Bijoux Barbosa: bass; Larry Thompson: drums; Bill Payne: piano, organ; Gabriel Mark Hasselbach: trumpet, flute, flugelhorn; Bob Rebholz: tenor saxophone, flute, EWI; Daniel Jones: dobro, pedal steel guitar; Ross Martin: guitar; Christian Teele: percussion; Daniel Sweaney, Kailin Yong: violin; Leah Mohling: viola; David Short: cello; Machan, Gregory Clark, Everett Bradley, Keith Bell, Ellen Ross, Robert Johnson: background vocals.

Record Label: Lisa Bell Music
Style: Vocal