Need My Sugar

Editorial Reviews
Andrew Gilbert - Down Beat
"Sultry voiced 28-year-old Kim Nalley brings an irresistibly sexy sense of swing, rhythmic dexterity and beautiful sound to the classics."

All About Jazz - Forrest Bryant
"The entire album is a treat, 40 minutes of excellence."

Album Description
Kim Nalley has delivered a thoroughly tasty vocal album that combines both jazz integrity and blues sensibility. It is firmly in the tradition of the classic swinging combo recordings of Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday, yet possesses a soulful groove reminiscent of the Blues and R& B divas, Dinah Washington and Etta James. Whether sitting close to your speaker with a cocktail or out dancing up a storm, this CD will compel you to listen over and over again. "At Last" is given new life with a delectable, drawn-out vocal that evokes cocktails, fireplaces and bearskin rugs. Nalley's backing trio, Etta James' Pianist Dave Mathews, Bassist Jeff Chambers (Gonzalo Rubacla) and Drummer Kent Bryson (Johnny Nocturne Band), shimmers beautifully on a haunting, Latin version of Eden Ahbez' enigmatic ballad, "Nature Boy." It is easily one of the best recordings of that song in recent memory. The title cut is a rollicking boogie-woogie original; Nalley's double-take lyrics and! barrelhouse delivery fit nicely into the tradition of bawdy women's blues songs, and go a long way towards securing her place in that lineage. And the closer is a warmhearted take on "Our Day Will Come" that leaves the listener upbeat and wanting more.

Need My Sugar

Tracks:

September In The Rain
At Last
Say It Isn't So
Nature Boy
Need My Sugar
I Was Telling Him About You
Too Close For Comfort
Goin' To New York
Our Day Will Come

Album Description

Kim Nalley has delivered a thoroughly tasty vocal album that combines both jazz integrity and blues sensibility. It is firmly in the tradition of the classic swinging combo recordings of Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday, yet possesses a soulful groove reminiscent of the Blues and R& B divas, Dinah Washington and Etta James. Whether sitting close to your speaker with a cocktail or out dancing up a storm, this CD will compel you to listen over and over again. "At Last" is given new life with a delectable, drawn-out vocal that evokes cocktails, fireplaces and bearskin rugs. Nalley's backing trio, Etta James' Pianist Dave Mathews, Bassist Jeff Chambers (Gonzalo Rubacla) and Drummer Kent Bryson (Johnny Nocturne Band), shimmers beautifully on a haunting, Latin version of Eden Ahbez' enigmatic ballad, "Nature Boy." It is easily one of the best recordings of that song in recent memory. The title cut is a rollicking boogie-woogie original; Nalley's double-take lyrics and! barrelhouse delivery fit nicely into the tradition of bawdy women's blues songs, and go a long way towards securing her place in that lineage. And the closer is a warmhearted take on "Our Day Will Come" that leaves the listener upbeat and wanting more.

Customer Reviews:

The Talented Ms. Nalley........2004-08-27

Having enjoyed Kim Nalley's CD with the Johnny Nocturne Band so much, I didn't have to be persuaded to order this solo effort. It is excellent. Sometimes the term "light jazz" refers to music that is certainly "light" but devoid of a real jazz feel. In this case, with Ms. Nalley's expressive voice, and timing, not to mention the backing of a fine trio of musicians, it may not be strident, intrusive music, but it is certainly jazz.

Most of the songs here are well-known standards, but Ms. Nalley still puts her own stamp on numbers like "September in the Rain", "Nature Boy" and "Our Day Will Come". The title song, "Need My Sugar" is an original--the only one on the CD--and here I have a "complimentary criticism". Ms. Nalley--you should be writing more songs--I think it's one of the best tracks, and I would have liked a couple more of your own compositions. The version of "At Last" is good--but Etta James casts a long shadow, and will always "own" this one. I also felt that the Jimmy Reed blues number, "Goin' To New York", was a mistake--a little too smooth--but maybe I have heard Jimmy too much !

The liner notes mention Billie, Sarah, Dinah and Etta--I'm sure that Kim Nalley has listened to Ella too ! We have a major talent here, that I suspect will just keep getting better and better. I guess I really liked this CD because I found it too short--I was sorry when it was over.

Somehow Kim Nalley has not become as well-known as other young jazz divas like Norah Jones and Diana Krall but--with her voice, attractive looks, some more original material, and decent promotion--look out world ! I wish her a long, happy career and--on a selfish note--more CDs please !

Jazz Jewel.......2003-08-13

Kim Nalley has gone back to her roots and made a wonderful CD of Jazz standards with one new song that she wrote herself. My favorite is "Nature Boy," but she puts her stylistic stamp on all of the songs. Her strong voice is right up front and she is backed by a band of great musicians. This is the CD you put on when you want to spend an evening with the one you love. I can listen to it over and over again.

Awesome!.......2003-07-20

What can I say! "Need My Sugar" is one of the best CD's I've heard in a long time. Inspiring, sexy and simply beautiful, Kim Nalley's stunning voice will blow you away. "At Last" will send chills down your spine. Not only have I been captivated by "Need My Sugar", everyone I play it for falls in love as well. A must have for any CD collection.

I GOT IT!.......2003-07-20

I GOT IT!
I GOT IT!
I GOT IT! Finally, tonight, after listening to Kim Nalley, I understand the Blues! Or have at least begun to understand and actually appreciate the genre. In fact, not more than two days ago I just made the comment to someone that I did not enjoy the Blues. I just returned from a Kim Nalley performance tonight at the restaurant Downtown in Berkeley with two friends and immediately purchased both her CDs. Kim Nalley and her band, are solely responsible for my "Jazz Epiphany!" I was classically trained on the violin for over 13 years and regularly attend the opera and symphony. But tonight was truly enjoyable. The CD has the same musicians I saw her with and it sounds awesome. Everyone should know how wonderful her music and voice are.

A true fan and recent convert of jazz,
Lorin W. Culver

Kim Nalley's Need My Sugar.......2003-03-03

First solo release by Kim who is well known in the San Francisco Bay Area for her R&B stylings as the lead singer with the Johnny Nocturne Band. Here she shows off her jazzy side on standards and originals with a very sympathetic band assembled for her in Switzerland. Thoroughly enjoyable set of music that leaves you wanting to hear more, more, more.

Average customer rating:

Need My Sugar
Kim Nalley
Manufacturer: City Hall Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002B9M0Q
Release Date: 2002-11-08

S.S. 70's Featuring: Detroit Emeralds / Gary Lewis and the Playboys / The Glitterband / The Rubettes / Rose Royce / Peppers / Mud / Judge Dread / Joe Dolan / Lobo / Tavares / The Rubettes / Detroit Emeralds / Moments and Whatnauts / Duane Eddy

Average customer rating:

S.S. 70's Featuring: Detroit Emeralds / Gary Lewis and the Playboys / The Glitterband / The Rubettes / Rose Royce / Peppers / Mud / Judge Dread / Joe Dolan / Lobo / Tavares / The Rubettes / Detroit Emeralds / Moments and Whatnauts / Duane Eddy
TRACK LISTINGS.................................. , YOU WANT IT YOU GOT IT - Detroit Emeralds / MY HEART'S SYMPHONY - Gary Lewis and the Playboys / GOODBYE MY LOVE - The Glitterband / JUKE BOX JIVE - The Rubettes , WISHING ON A STAR - Rose Royce / PEPPER BOX - Peppers / THE CAT CREPT IN - Mud / BIG SEVEN - Judge Dread / GOOD LOOKING WOMAN - Joe Dolan / ME AND YOU AND A DOG NAMED BOO - Lobo , and WHO DUNNIT? - Tavares / SUGAR BABY LOVE - The Rubettes / FEEL THE NEED IN ME - Detroit Emeralds / GIRLS - Moments and Whatnauts / PLAY ME LIKE YOU PLAY YOUR OLD GUITAR - Duane Eddy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000TPSUYO

Music:

Music

Music