JAZZ IMPROV MAGAZINE
CD REVIEW: EILEEN
By: BOB GISH

ARTIST: EILEEN BERTSCH
PRODUCER: DAN JACOBS
RECORD COMPANY: METRO RECORDS, INC., 2005

Eileen Bertsch's vocals are featured in the most pleasing and accommodating context. From the first track, appropriately suggesting a sanguine future - and features - to come, you know guitarist Randy Dorman is only the first soloist to establish the enhancing setting and mood for lyrics.

Dorman's responsive playing is typical of the other top-drawer musicians heard on this CD. Dan Jacobs' trumpet comes to the fore on “Under My Skin” with opportune obbligato by Dorman and an arrangement, true to course, which presents sax, trombone, percussion and piano in fine proportion.

Bertsch's equally fine lyricism on “Unforgettable” benefits beautifully from David Angell and John Catchings' strings, and most especially from the sophisticated sax solo of Denis Solee. “It's Wonderful” is a fully orchestrated arrangement, complemented by a rubato introduction that sets up a slow tension for the upbeat, swinging, main melody and verse. The big band sound never overwhelm Bertsch, who always retains an easy, cabaret style in her vocals.

Dorman enters again on “People” to accompany Bertsch in another intimate duet, soon enhanced by soft string orchestrations allowing the lyrics to soar. Jacobs angelic sounding trumpet augments the gregarious, loving message of the lyrics, brought to a dramatic crescendo by thundering drums.

The lyrics of “Some People's Lives stand solidly in the forefront of the orchestration, allowing Bertsch's voice to shine. “Desperado,” as sung here, needn't be compared to either the Eagles' or Linda Ronstadt's versions, although Dorman's guitar does give it a kind of suave Western feel behind Bertsch's bravado.

Much the same goes for 'My Funny Valentine,” which seems ideally suited for Bertsch's voice, setting it apart from the countless interpretations of the nevertheless somehow abstruse lyric. Jacobs' muted trumpet and the prominence of glissando bass lines add just the right feel to Bertsch's contrasting high-pitched protestations.

By the time one experiences “Summertime” or “Over the Rainbow” one knows when listening to the funky-friendly “You've Got a Friend” why this CD is called Eileen. She's a friend - and so are the musicians with her.

Personnel: Eileen Bertsch, vocals; Dan Jacobs, trumpet; Denis Solee, sax; Roy Agee, trombone; Randy Dorman, guitar; Dave Pomeroy and Chuck Jacobs, bass; Ron Oates and Warren Hartman, piano; Edgar Struble, piano; Bob Mater and Jonathan Jacobs, drums; John Catchings

I'm familiar with the Jacobs Brothers and Dan Jacobs has written some magnificent charts on this album. Eileen puts a lot of new life to the standards. I don't recall ever hearing the verse to "My Funny Valentine." This will be the first thing I play on my show and certainly will stay in my bag for a long time!

- Jerry Atkins, Jazz Music Director, KTXK, 91.5FM

RADIO HOST FEEDBACK:
It's fabulous!!  She can deliver a song like it should be ...with feeling!!!  She has a great way with a song and her interpretation of these standards is right on the money.  Trumpeter also  Dan Jacobs is always the best . . . #1 in my book!  I am adding it on our radio show for play in Michigan.  Keep up the good work!

- Jim Stone, Host - Big Band Swing - WLNZ, 89.7 FM

REVIEW By Jim Santella for AllAboutJazz

" . . . the music gets its due through her honest portrayal of each thrilling note."

With her program of popular songs and show tunes, Eileen Bertsch brings back memories. They're the songs that we've come to know and to love. Her strong voice, backed by a studio orchestra and strings, forces itself through with a powerful will.

As if acting on stage during a musical drama, the singer projects deliberately, while interpreting each selection full steam ahead. Bertsch pleasantly overwhelms with “Over the Rainbow” as she belts its soaring melody out powerfully. No one in the theater would miss such a display. Strings and piano melt in behind her vibrant delivery, which stands out for its push. As the key changes, her emotion pushes even harder, giving her interpretation an dramatic quality.

Much of the program works in a similar manner, giving the singer free rein to climb every mountain and move higher and higher. Delicate moments through pieces such as ”Aspettami” and “My Funny Valentine” are balanced by her powerfully passionate delivery.

The high point of the album comes with Carole King's “You've Got a Friend,” which receives a funk arrangement, ushering in horns, guitar, keyboards, bass, and percussion. Here, Bertsch lets her hair down and comes alive, as she's joined by a male vocalist on this thrilling arrangement. Trumpets soar, organ grinds out a soulful refrain, the rhythm section hammers out a strong foundation, and both vocalists turn up the heat. They're on fire.

Throughout the album, the music gets its due through her honest portrayal of each thrilling note. The session contains stellar ensemble and solo work from Bertsch's accompanists. Outstanding contributions from saxophonist Denis Solee, guitarist Randy Dorman, and trumpeter Dan Jacobs make a distinctive impression. The singer is fortunate to have such good musical company by her side.

EILEEN BERTSCH
EILEEN
Metro Records
 

It's always great to discover a new singer. Well, at least new to me. Apparently, Eileen Bertsch has been around for quite a few years, making some recordings and doing theater around the country (her website, www.eyesongmusic.com, even mentions being in a production of The Music Man with Robert Preston and such things). The acting experience shows in her phrasing and ability to really get inside a song and tell a story. She has a strong, rich voice which she uses to wrap around a song and, in the embrace, she pulls in her audience. She can wail, she can croon, she can belt, but best of all, maybe, she can act a song. Her interpretations are thoughtful and intelligent, mostly songs of contentment with love.

More good news: she uses real instruments (good players who support what's going on). I especially like the trumpet work from Dan Jacobs, who is also the producer.  There's classy work from all 14 - count 'em, 14! - listed musicians. Different instruments featured on various tracks lend variety to this well-done album.

The arrangements were fashioned by five different band members, with pianist Edgar Struble doing half of the fourteen charts. I especially admire the cello on "My Funny Valentine" (John Catchings).

A litmus test for me is how much I enjoy a new recording of a "mega standard" I've heard dozens of versions of over the years. Eileen passes with flying colors.

Even "Over The Rainbow" and "My Funny Valentine" sound fresh - and they're all on my Top Twenty list of songs I still love but have heard so many singers do that maybe enough is enough.

Well, hooray and hallelujah! She sings these (and many others) with great affection and even a sense of discovery that communicates, not taking them for granted as well-worn warhorses. This CD is well worth a listen.

-- Rob Lester
http://www.talkinbroadway.com

REVIEW: "EILEEN" - June 12, 2005 - (CD Baby)

This is one of the most brilliante CDs on the jazz market today! Incredible music
Reviewer: Kevin Smith

Eileen has got one of the most incredible voices in the jazz idiom. The sidemen on the album are fantastic, and the producer deserves 5 stars himself!! The take of "Funny Valentine" should win a Grammy all by itself...it's so artistic!! Also, the "groove" on "You've Got A Friend" is outstanding. I'd count on this album to get a ton of airtime!!

This CD by unique female vocal stylist, Eileen, is now available at selected stores nationwide and online at: cdbaby.com/cd/eileensongs and/or directly from the artist at: eyesongmusic.com

REVIEW: "EILEEN" - June 10, 2005

Listening to Eileen. She's definitely a wonderful singer with a particular voice projection. I like the way she does "'S Wonderful," and "Desperado" has a lot of feelings; both the instruments and Eileen herself.
 
 Ricardo A.Perez
" JazzalaCarta"
KSFR 90.7 FM
Santa Fe NM