REVIEWS

"WHEN LIGHTS ARE LOW"

"Looking at the cover of When Lights Are Low (Albany) and admiring Lisa Kirchner's all-American elegance, you expect to hear lady-like delicacies done up with vanilla frosting. Instead, out pours this astonishing mix of ash and gravel that combines the talk-sing sophistication of Mabel Mercer with the gutsy appeal of Dee Dee Bridgewater. Kirchner's rusty world-weariness borrows liberally from Billie Holiday, especially on her dusky "You Don't Know What Love Is" and gently bruised "Angel Eyes." Her "Manha de Carnival," at once mistily reflective and coolly satiated, is sumptuously good. So, too, is a skillfully tempered, "I Concentrate on You" that simmers with unfulfilled desire. The biggest surprise though, is a vibrant reading of Livingston and Evans' somewhat obscure "The Ruby and the Pearl", imbued with that unique sort of cabaret theatricality that defined Mercer's incomparability.

     - Christopher Loudon- JazzTimes

"There isn’t a more articulate interpreter of standards singing today. Lisa Kirchner again delivers another quality project, chock full of timeless, enduring classics and uncovered gems….and in the process, assuring her place as the millennium’s first true renaissance woman. If you appreciate the human voice and what it can do to The Great American Songbook, pick up a copy of “When Lights Are Low.”

     -Joe Zupan WICN FM 90.5 Massachussetts

"When Lights Are Low is a marvelous journey through the Great American Songbook by one of today's most talented and gifted singers. I know my many listeners will be delighted to hear these classic standards performed with such taste and refinement. Lisa's interpretations are further enhanced by a marvelous quartet"

     - Ron Della Chiesa, WGBH, MA

"Lisa Kirchner's latest collection fits all seasons of the heart. During the very first listening one moves easily to the soul-light flowing in. And you keep going back again and again- finding yourself pleasantly pinned inside a wall of exquisite and beguiling sounds. For sometime now her imagination has been looking for secrets. Now, with a soul that has been working overtime, she has found them. And another star is born."

     - Gordon Parks

"Her voice is unique in the manner that Eartha Kitt and Dinah Washington are instantly identifiable. In the company of a fine jazz quartet, the singer is confident and relaxed. Lisa Kirchner's version of the Victor Young classic (Street of Dreams) is a wonderful throbbing treatment that's very easy to take. The mellow mood is unbroken when Lisa and pianist, Xavier Davis offer a fabulous rendition of You Don't Know What Love Is. ..Luiz Bonfa's Manha de Carnival gets royal treatment when the vocalist exhibits her skills in Portuguese. You've Changed receives the most discerning treatment I've heard in recent years. a sensitive artist in an intimate performance. Lisa Kirchner is an eloquent voice in the night.

     -Richard Boucier-Jazzreview.com

"While the art of singing is built on the greatness of the past, it is refreshing and exciting to hear a new artist like Lisa Kirchner. She joins a select group with this CD."

     - Bernard Brightman/Stash Records

"Lisa Kirchner's new album is gorgeous, rhythmic, classy and just right for when the lights are low, or for that matter almost any other time you want to listen to some great music."

     -Barry Gaston KMUW Radio Kansas.

"This wonderful effort reflects Lisa Kirchner's talent, taste and heartfelt love for the music. Its truly a pleasurable listening experience!"

     - Masani- Georgia Public Radio, GA

"Lisa Kirchner: How can one individual have SO MUCH talent. Sings, dances, acts - and all well. From the strength of Ethel Merman to the quiet passion of Sarah Vaughan, Lisa does it all. In several languges to boot. Latin rhythms, swingers, broken hearted passion - all come so naturally to this multi-talented young lady who puts her heart in everything she does."

     -Tom Phillips, THE SOUNDS OF JAZZ & JAZZ NEWS MAGAZINE

"It has a bright, upbeat and beautiful sound."

     -Linda Yohn WEMU

"ONE MORE RHYME"

"You must take the time to hear One More Rhyme. The selections are as varied as Lisa's background and musical influences. And she's assembled a group of well-seasoned veterans to accompany her. I have to restrain from playing it everyday."

     - Joe Zuppan- WICN Public Radio-90.5 FM-Massachussetts


"...subtle renditions... novel interpretation... vocal magic... The singer's view of "All or Nothing at All", includes a slight Latin beat and matches performances of this song by such geniuses of the vocal arts as Sarah Vaughan, Chris Connor and June Christy. But it's the sensitivity to music and lyrics and the way she works with her sidemen that brings her version to the level of these other singers... strong evidence of formidable musical genes... One More Rhyme is highly recommended."

     - Dave Nathan- All Music Guide, All About Jazz

"...magnetic vocal style... captivating..." Alan Bargabuhr- Cadence Magazine


"Lisa Kirchner... a voice of the night... beautiful and sultry phrasings... Singing in English, Portuguese and near flawless French, Ms. Kirchner takes the listener on a journey through the songs of the Americas and Europe in a delightful way. From Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke's 'But Beautiful' to Henri Contet's 'Padam, Padam', the singer commands the listener's attention. I especially appreciated her sensitive rendition of Jacques Brel's unforgettable "Ne Me Quitte Pas" (Don't Leave Me). I really enjoyed this CD and recommend it to those who share my taste for jazz with an international flavor. "

     - Richard Bourcier, Jazz At a Glance


"Lisa's voice is clear, soft, serene, and at the same time powerful. Seamless segues from English to French to Portuguese vividly display her artistry in telling a musical story in a variety of languages. Exudes a bundle of charm. A delicious album"

     - Al Monroe- WNTI-91.9 FM- New Jersey


"Lisa ...sings (lyrics)... as though the composer had written them for her only. A marvelous talent from super genes"

     - Art Hellyer- WJOL- Illinois


"Lisa Kirchner- One of the nicer vocal presentations I've heard this year. I like this album better than some of the 'big names' that have had releases recently. Sultry voice and engaging inflections- definitely has her own 'voice' which I like to hear"

     - Dr. Brad Stone- KKUP-FM- California


"An example of real class- the voice, the approach and the accompaniment. American Culture- Here it is!"

     - Jack Simpson- Jazz on the Beach- Florida


"Lisa wrote two of the songs on her new CD and she does a nice job mixing in some standards... Mercer's 'Autumn Leaves' and 'All or Nothing At All' ...Nicely arranged and produced. Wait until you hear 'Red Sails'"

     - Jim Stone- Big Band Swing WLNZ 89.7 FM- Michigan


"A wonderful CD, the selections and the beautiful way you interpret this music... your sound is very beautiful to listen to... I was very impressed with it... very nice choice of material and beautifully performed"

     - Ron Della Chiesa- WGHB 89.7 FM- Massachussetts


"Like all true singers of song, Lisa takes her vocal expertise for granted and concentrates entirely upon the text. Every nuance of the words- each twist and turn and lilt and sob and smile- contains, and expresses, the experience of She Who Was There. She performs from the inside out. Prima la parola... Whatever the language- English, Spanish, Portuguese, French (or, rather, Parisian), Provencal- the shading seems inevitable, and the diction flawless. Lisa has manners but no mannerisms: she sings less about having been in love than because she was in love. Her repertory is unhackneyed and tasteful and mostly very poignant. I am a fan because there is nobody like her in our loud crass vulgar milieu of music, and because she knows what she's doing and how to do it."

     - Ned Rorem


"Lisa Kirchner's sultry way with a song is very winning... A wonderful album."

     - Ruth Laredo


"Lisa finds that subterranean tone in her voice and in the song that raises pop singing to an art."

      - Galt MacDermot


"It is beautiful to hear Lisa Kirchner's singing which is so very musical, genuine and touching... a lovely album."

     - Peter Serkin


"Lilting, lyrical and lush, the voice of Lisa Kirchner thrills, soothes and delights. Her new album, One More Rhyme, of unusual and beautiful songs, is a definite winner."

     - Judy Collins


"Lisa Kirchner is that rare phenomenon of the consummate performer whose artistry is world-class. Unforgettable is her unique sound and the manner of her musical presentation. Like a magnet, she draws the listener into the complete compass of what it means to be a human being from our most earthy elements to the sublime. Her voice says it all as she uses her extraordinary gifts in the service of the music she is singing. Listening to Lisa Kirchner is an experience not to be missed."

     - Luise Vosgerchian, Harvard University

CABARETS AND NIGHT CLUBS

"the French songs defy explanation when it comes to intensity and emotion... Her renditions of 'Ne Me Quitte Pas' and 'Jessie' may be the most heart-wrenching ever"

     - Electronic Link Journey


"this smoky torcher with the mane of red hair is absorbing... an intense singer"

     - Backstage

"a formidable interpreter" -Amsterdam News

"she's got striking range with the ability to emote rage, loss or longing in equally convincing measure... Her covers of 'Dansa da Solidao' and 'Padam, Padam' were especially vibrant with Kirchner using her arms, torso and face eloquently to embody the passion in the music... Kirchner is a singer who can galvanize the stage both vocally and physically..."

     - Koroly's Cabaret Corner

"a sexy chanteuse... very much her own woman"

     - Variety