Smoky low-fi rendition of jazz standards, with some country jazz crossover, perfect late night listening from Linda Lu..x

8 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Smooth Jazz, EASY LISTENING: Lounge



Details:
Linda Lu is a Dublin based blues & jazz singer, Lovesongs & Lullabies is her debut cd. She is currently working on original material with a blues/country flavour..

Below are 2 reviews received for the c.d. last Spring.

Reviews:
The University Observer, UCD,(Dublin) – February 2004

Lovesongs & Lullabies
Linda Lu

With a voice straight from a 30’s jazz lounge, and a name to fit the bill (presumably after Ray Sharpe’s enduring classic, which surprisingly doesn’t feature here) Linda Lu’s self financed demo transports us to a world of Ella Fitzgerald singing the Gershwins, smoky dancehalls and a time before we let the robots into the studio.

Lu’s sultry vocals couldn’t be more suited to the easy swing of ‘Summertime’ from ‘Porgy and Bess’, while Ritchie Buckley’s polished playing on tenor sax adds more than a shade of authenticity to this rendition of the classic hit.

The highlight, however, has to be Linda’s version of ‘Almaz’. Probably the best choice for a cover, Randy Crawford’s heartbreaking track would be so easy to destroy in it’s stripped down form of naked vocals and backseat piano, but the rich tones of a voice resonant with emotion pays the song its due respect.

It crosses into the territory of country, possibly in a bid to prove versatility, in the final two tracks, is however, probably not such a wise move. ‘I Fall to Pieces’ and ‘Ask’ do nothing to showcase a voice made for singing jazz and soul. But by and large, there’s plenty of easy listening from Linda Lu.

By Ruth Morgan

2. Lovesongs & Lullabies - Linda Lu
By Orla Ambrose

This self-financed debut album by DCU graduate Linda Lu is an enjoyable slice of jazz and blues. Boasting a selection of well known covers it is perfect easy-listening material.

Songs including ‘Summertime’ and ‘Moondance’ glide seamlessly into one another and Lu’s smoky bluesy voice complements them perfectly even if she does seem to struggle a little with the higher notes. Ritchie Buckley’s tenor saxophone is also a joy to listen to, adding depth and feeling to the music.

The singing resounds with emotion and this is particularly evident on ‘The Very Thought of You’ and ‘Almaz’, the standout tracks.
DCU College View, March 2004