Joanna Weinberg is reviewed by Jazz Music

JAZZ MUSIC
by:  CJ Bond

CD Review: Joanna Weinberg - "The Piano Diaries"

Year: 2012
Style: Vocal
Label: MASTERTOUCH  Roll

Musicians: Joanna Weinberg - vocals; Rafael A. Nazario - piano, keyboards; Kate Adams - cello; Mark Ginsburg - tenor/soprano saxophones, flute; Martijn Hadders - guitar; Jonathan Zwartz - bass; Simon Fishburn - drums; Blair Greenberg - African drums.

Actress/singer/songwriter
Joanna Weinberg

CD Review: Joanna Weinberg - "The Piano Diaries" glows with the emotional character of a bright smile. This songwriter/vocalist/actress paints a kaleidoscope of rich imagery in her songs that transcends genres with perfect pitch and flawless intonation. She possesses the rare ability to interpret and personalize her own lyrics through a full range of emotions, imbuing her songs with the experiential conviction of a Joni Mitchell; effortlessly cohering Maria Muldaur's whimsical innocence and the limpid vocal clarity of Judy Collins with an averment that attaches convincing, memorable familiarity to the lyric.

Weinberg and her exceptional band of musicians romp through a 12-song sojourn marked by sweet innocence, sensual irreverence, stinging social commentary, coming-of-age love and the winds of fear; dancing and swaying to a background of jazz/rock/folk/latin/funk rhythms. "Nothing is as sweet as moonlight on your skin and living for now" (Freckled Angels); "Now that we've lost our innocence/we've nothing left to lose" (Innocence); "He wore his hat at an angle/ kept his old hand light on my spine/he spun me left and he spun me right/his rhythm made me shine/his gums were cracked and toothless/he was too shy to look up at me/...but me ain't spoka no spanish and I aint got a shoe on my feet/but I no wanted it to stop, that Cuban dance with me/'cause he was beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful old man" (Beautiful Old Man): a wealth of images that make this a CD to return to over and over again.

Weinberg's breadth of talent extends itself (Benjamin And Penelope) and leaps forward with breezy, appealing Lennon/McCartney lyrical panache enhanced by her sparkling, precise piano playing. But it the verve in Weinberg's personality that comes through in her voice and gives her a freshness and flair that permeates the date. The band's accompanying attitude is complimentary; its dynamic range does not overwhelm Weinberg's voice, leaving her vocal nuances and elocution intact and distinct. Mark Ginsburg saxophone playing is especially sensitive and augmentable through Weinberg's lilting (Daughters of the Empire; The Winds of Fear) and the funky, infectious latin groove, perfectly arranged for Blair Greenberg's African drums (Beautiful Old Man), without sacrificing form, tone or rhythm.

Weinberg is devastatingly effective with pensive, introspective lyrics (Innocence; Witness; Wide Open Eyes) during which she is treated to ineffable harmony and near-perfect tonal balance from Rafael Nazario's piano and Kate Adams' cello. She also proves that she is comfortable and convincing working with her rhythm section of guitarist Martijn Hadders, pianist Rafael Nazario, bassist Jonathan Zwartz and drummer Simon Fishburn to paint a very compelling portrait of a (Trophy Wife), "living in trophy town."

Joanna Weinberg and the band select the genre-hopping (The Piano At The Cabaret) to end this outstanding CD with a swinging post-bop feel, punctuated with cool Manhattan Transfer harmonies and an impressive revival of her stellar career in acting, comedy and cabaret which she studied at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. She's got that unmistakable"thang" in her voice that makes you see Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" while you slow down your flatbed Ford to take a second look at this awesome redhead. 

Track Listing: Freckled Angels; Innocence; Daughters of the Empire; The Artists are Leaving; Benjamin and Penelope; The Winds of Fear; Wide Open Eyes; Beautiful Old Man; Witness; Mama Buy Your Baby a Piano; Trophy Wife; The Piano at the Cabaret.

Recorded by Reyne House and Michelle Barry at Alberta Studio, Sydney, Australia
Mixed and Mastered by Kathy Naunton at DB Mastering

Arranged and produced by Rafael A. Nazario http://www.rafnazario.com/

All songs written and composed by Joanna Weinberg http://www.thepianodiaries.com/