Halie Loren
They Oughta Write A Song
White Moon Productions

Halie Loren made a stunning debut a while back. This follow-up sees her go jazz convincingly. She adds some fine songs of her own to an album mostly consisting of standards.

Vocally Loren has the chops; a fluid dexterity that suits the songs. Procul Harum's "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" becomes a lounge jazz standard in Loren's capable hands. Pianist Matt Treder plays wonderfully. More traditional material like "Autumn Leaves" gets inspired and fresh readings by Loren and her band too. The effort she's put into this record doesn't make it sounds like a pastiche, rather like a new way of approaching old songs.

A sexy "Fever" is followed by a heartfelt "God Bless The Child" as night follows day. Loren's own "How Should I Know" fits right in, an exquisitely sad little song with a luminous vocal. This album might be a throw back to an earlier era, but it's firmly grounded in today's world and all the better for it.

Copyright © 2009 Anna Maria Stjärnell