Jazz vocals, You must hear this voice-like the glow in the heel of a deep glass of wine, and like that wine -Phill makes you feel warm inside

12 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Jazz Vocals, BLUES: Blues Vocals



Details:
Album reviewed and ranked -------âAmong The Greatsâ ---- a must hear Vocalist
Phill Freeman, born in Indianapolis, Indiana has been performing for most of his life. He resides in Rochester, NY and aspires to branch out into other areas of the country and the world, as his music career unfolds.
A mature seasoned performer in Upstate New York, Phill Freeman has caused quite a stir among music and jazz connoisseurs, in that they liken his voice to great jazz vocalist such as young Billy Eckstien, Johnny Hartman and Lou Rawls.
In the 2001 issue of Jazz Improv magazine Vol. V3N3, Freeman's Cd was favorably reviewed by one of Chicagoâs well-known jazz critics, John Barrett Jr. He states, ââ You hear confidence from all directions; the soft, tuneful arrangements, the creamy emotional voice. The piano tiptoes on "Wives and Lovers," like it's walking into an empty room. Inside is the singer: his phrasing warm, his tone with a fine layer of grit. This deep crackling voice is different from Joe Williamâs', or most any jazz singer's; I'm reminded of Jerry Butler...and I think I like Phill better. He'll use vibrato on long phrases, leap an octave to emphasize words- and drop to a whisper for intimate expressions. John Nyerges' piano is greatly romantic, with bluesy touches somewhere between Bill Evans and Vince Guaraldi. The brushes waltz along the final word "looooove" is rightly external and the tune concludes with a splash of thick echo. Everything is perfect-and this form a former "weekend singer" whom only recently quit his day job. If anyone doesnât need a Plan B, it's Phill Freeman.
You have to admire the song choices: in among the standards are tunes you never hear in the context of jazz. In the hands of Skeeter Davis, "The End of the World" was a teenage trifle; Phill does it as slow, sweet, resignation. He sings at the top of his range, and says "baby" at the right moments- the bridge is given new chords, which heightens its impact. Listen for Campbellâs bass, playing a baiao pattern. Johnâs solo is lush, and miles away from Nashville. The bass then toughens up, sliding along. "Matter of Time,â Phillâs delivery is clipped; a little more forceful than Brook Bentonâsâ¦.. And the band cries out in desperation. (John wallops the keys, in a worried burst of sound.) Itâs almost two voices on âThe Good Life: a genteel lilt on some lines, and a deep sparkle on the others. The mood is relaxation, and the drums slumber off in the background. You must hear this voice- like the glow in the heel of a deep glass of wine. And like that wine, Phill makes you feel warm inside.

The presentation is simple yet elegant; no ostentation, nothing to get in Freemanâs way. â The Very Thought of Youâ has a steady sizzle from Rich Thompsonâs brush-and not much else The piano is shy, and the voice is bold: a rounded rich trombone sound. Jeff Tyzikâs cornet blares like a siren, calling attention to âAt Lastâ Phill is at his deepest, while his vocal leaps suggest Etta James- now thatâs an intriguing combination. Thereâs a bossa beat on âMy One and Only Loveâ a faster pace and steady flow of romance. Nyerges has one of his best solos; not too forceful but the impact is felt. âUnforgettable â is strong and the lyric races a little bit- Tyzik is back and his chorus has a raspy charm. Phillâs final note is a slide, dropping two delicious octaves.
His âLush Lifeâ may be the most sophisticated Iâve ever heard: he even says âdistingueâ properly Heâs nonchalant at the start, then vaults and octave on toooo many through- the- dayâ¦â His pain is showing through. ( The same thing happens when he speaks âAgainâ¦I was wrong.â) Johnâs turn is quite atmospheric, skipping as the bass rolls deeply. And âWithout a Songâ is a lovely sigh in the depth of night. John adds a few notes but the sound is lonely: Phill will loudly proclaim the better things to come, then drop back to a whisper. We hear the trio alone for a break and they lead freeman towards the end, where he sounds more confident. Confidence is all over this disc, and it should be. I have no hesitation in ranking Phill among the greats. In My opinion, heâs already there.ââ
His repertoire runs the gamut of blues, contemporary and traditional jazz, and pop. Freeman possesses an extraordinary vocal range, which serves him extremely well when singing any style. His phrasing, voice control and richness make each song a listening masterpiece.
Phill Freeman, more recently, performed as the first act in concert with Roberta Flack, Jessie Cook, the Caribbean Project, and Joyce Cooling. The sold out concert received excellent reviews and return performances.
Phill Freeman is also featured on the Rochester Philharmonics Christmas CDs. The 1998 CD features him on one track and the 1999 CD features him on three tracks both recordings are live performances at the Eastman Theater Rochester, New York. Coincidentally, he is the first vocalist to ever appear on the (RPOâs) CDs.
His CD recently received an outstanding review in the 2001 fall issue of Jazz Improv Magazine and was described as being âamong the greatsâ and possessing a must hear voice.
Presently Phill is working on his new project scheduled to be released in the fall of 2007. This album will consist of original material and will be produced and arranged by Phill Freeman and others.