Look who sits atop the VOCAL Home page on iTunes....

 

OUR VERY OWN JAIMEE PAUL!

 

Congratulations Jaimee!!

 

Jaimee Paul and Leif Shires
Album Release Party


Monday April 27, 2009 
7:30PM
Christ Church - Wallace Chapel    
15354 Old Hickory Blvd.
Nashville, TN  37211
615.400.6622

Hey Everyone,

Leif and I have great news!!  For those of you that don't know, Leif and I both signed recording deals with Green Hill Music, here in Nashville!!  Green Hill is a division of SpringHill (owned by Bill Gaither/Gaither Music Group), and distributed by EMI.

So that means that Leif and I both have new albums to share with you! We're having this album release party for a time of fun, fellowship, and some really great music.  We'll have a whole band with us: Jared Ribble on drums, Steve Forrest on bass, Scott Hallgren on piano, and our producer, Jack Jezzro on guitar. 

This is going to be held in the Wallace Chapel (Christ Church), which is on the extreme left hand side of our church, if you're looking at the church from Old Hickory Blvd.  Don't worry, I'll have balloons out front showing you which entrance take, and where to go.

I hope several of you can make it.  We'll play for about an hour, so come join in our excitement as we share our new records with you!!

Blessings,
jaimee

Green Hill jazz vocalist, Jaimee Paul, performed a private showcase for the Green Hill and EMI Sales and Marketing teams at the EMI building in Brentwood, TN on Wednesday, April 8, 2009.  Jaimee was joined on stage by her band which included husband and trumpeter Leif Shires and her producer and guitarist, Jack Jezzro.  Jaimee sang songs from her debut Green Hill recording, AT LAST.

SPIN FACTOR
By Ron Wynn
City Paper – Nashville, TN

Jaimee Paul
At Last
(Green Hill)

The interpretative talents of Nashville pop and jazz vocalist Jaimee Paul come to the forefront on this excellent collection of pre-rock standards and ballads. The set list also boasts an occasional alternative work like her lush, striking version of “Crazy.”

While not veering as much into the country realm as the great Patsy Cline, Paul’s rendition retains the original’s aura and lure. Paul understands that the key to not being overwhelmed on such venerable works as “Stormy Weather,” “Fever,” “Cry Me a River” or the title track is to embrace the theme but personalize the treatment. That’s especially true for “What a Difference a Day Makes” or “Lover Man,” since it would be pointless to try replicating the manner in which Dinah Washington and Billie Holiday already immortalized them.

With the expert assistance of the Beegie Adair Trio and Jeff Steinberg Orchestra, Paul’s artistry emerges without radically altering either the intent or memory of these timeless anthems and vintage hits.

Whether we realize it or not, we sometimes approach tribute albums a little sideways, sort of edging up to them while wondering if the artist will do justice to the original. I suppose it's a natural enough attitude to have, but it seems a little unfair if we judge them too quickly.

Those thoughts were going through my mind as I began to listen to a new album from young songstress Jaimee Paul, now out on the Green Hill label. The album's title, At Last, serves immediate notice that she's taking on some powerful icons — they don't get much bigger than Etta James' timeless signature song. 

But this album is about more than one song, and the cover tells us that by listing the names of the thirteen legendary songbirds who virtually own the tunes Jaimee sings. It's worth noting that their status is such that even though only their first names are used, each one is immediately identifiable — Ella, Rosemary, Doris, and Lena, just to list a few. 

Jaimee's own background includes classical training on piano and french horn, but it's as a vocalist that she found her path to success. As a child she sang in her church choir, and gospel music continued to be a strength even as she reached adulthood but she then began branching out. Her latest performances have been as part of Wynonna Judd's show.

Although Jaimee Paul might be a relatively new name this is actually her second album, but it's her first for a major label. It's a first-class production, with backup provided by one of Nashville's best groups, pianist Beegie Adair and her trio. Additional accompaniment is furnished by the Jeff Steinberg Orchestra, along with a rising young trumpeter (who also happens to be Jaimee's husband), Leif Shires.

Jaimee certainly has the pipes to tackle the music of the legendary songbirds. She has a full, mature and smoky voice that's reminiscent of the era's singers, and she knows how to give us a fresh and pleasing take on a familiar piece while maintaining the spirit of the original. Listening to her on a song like "Fever," is naturally a little startling at times because Peggy Lee's classic is so familiar, but
Jaimee's version sounds better with each play. The same could be said about her performances on Doris Day's "Sentimental Journey," or Judy Garland's "Over The Rainbow," both outstanding renditions.

Those three were among my favorites but my top dog was probably "What A Difference A Day Makes," given a little more of a Latin tilt than Dinah Washington's original. Also enjoyable were "Whatever Lola Wants," a Sarah Vaughan classic, and of course the title tune, "At Last" — and this is coming from a long-time Etta fan. Both songs feature full, lush orchestral arrangements that help build a perfectmood for the music.

An outstanding collection of retro sounds from Jaimee Paul and her friends, well worth a listen.

Article Courtesy www.blogcritics.org