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It is an outstanding partnership, perfect at so many levels. A glittering rainbow of a richly lyrical, smooth, vivacious, romantic, intelligent, refined and varied repertoire shows her strength as she commands the mood changes and states of mind which are the birthright of jazz. Marlene VerPlanck flirts with music and thus brings excitement, nostalgia, and a refreshing breeze to the ambiance. However, she never loses the substance and depth which are the benchmarks of great music. While conforming with the essence and true spirit of traditional Jazz, Marlene VerPlanck’s striking innovation and personal style are evident in every song. VerPlanck’s voice is timeless. It does not belong to one particular era. It transcends all frontiers and reaches to an audience of all walks of life or of any age. Consequently this woman can tell you your whole damn life story in two lines. Many people who are lovers of classical music, Latin music, French music, or other genres are going for the first time, if they are not as yet familiar with Jazz, to love Jazz the way they love their favourite music, as soon as they listen to Marlene.Two songs on the CD, “Dance with Me Outside” and “The Day I Found You” speak to a very large audience. Miss Ver Planck will convert people to Jazz. I would never attempt to compare Miss Marlene Ver Planck to any of the Jazz greats, because she is a legend in her own right. I am afraid that what I am going to say may sound outrageous, perhaps provocative, but I firmly believe that critics and music connoisseurs would agree with me that Jazz, which began as the outcry of the common people, in her case, and through her voice, is raised to a royal level and thus Marlene VerPlanck becomes America’s Jazz Queen. “My Impetuous Heart” is a treasure. My rating would be 5 stars out of five. Buy a copy for a friend. You will treasure it for years to come and your friend will thank you.
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ANY GOSSIP IN THE BOOK? Plenty, but justified. Here is an excerpt from Chapter IV "NEW YORK'S AND CALIFORNIA’S JAZZ AND CABARET DIVAS ARE MAKING A BIG BUZZ."
New York's and California’s Jazz and cabaret divas are making a big buzz. And each one of them at “sa facon”. Marlene Verplanck with her new CD “My Impetuous Heart”; Mercedes Hall with her new bursting Blues-Jazz shows; Carol Welsman, because of her international tour, her shows and concerts in Brazil, her record deal in Tokyo and the many awards she got recently, including “Best Smooth Jazz Singer of the Year”, “Best Jazz Singer of Canada”, “Best International Entertainer-Pianist of the Year”, ad infinitum; Hillary Kole’s with her stunning beauty, social gossips, and avalanches of heavy-duty gigs; Janis Mann’s great comeback and the fans are going wild; Anne Callaway, being difficult and distant in a very cold manner; Andrea Marcovicci for being out of site and her refusal to learn how to use a computer, so there is no way to communicate with her, except through a strange and bizarrrrrro character (handling her media and interviews), so difficult to deal with; Ute Lemper’s sold-out magnificent cabaret acts in Manhattan; Carol Sloane with her Cabaret Bistro Award (Best Singer in the Business); Paulette Attie’s Memoirs (Boy! The stories and secrets of the legends en route); Tony Bennett’s admiration for Donna Byrne; Quinn Lemley playing Rita Hayworth; Paris Hilton’s ridiculous new CD! (Give me a break!); Anath’s forthcoming international cabaret shows in New York; Karmyn Tyler’s (Miss Louisiana) new album taking the audience and critics by storm; Rhe De Ville crowned queen of elegance of world of Jazz and cabaret. Yep! Buzz and gossip.This time, it is not about Madonna, nor Martha Stewart, but about a glittering rosary of old and new faces. Pros by all means. The New York Monthly Herald listed them and raved about them. What is the deal? No deal, just paying tribute to well seasoned Jazz and cabaret stars who made their mark on the music industry, such as Carol Sloane, Marlene VerPlanck, Patti Wicks, Opera primadona Alison England, Laurie Krauz, the gorgeous Hilary Cole, Paulette Attie and three newcomers on the stardom plateau, Pamela Luss, Joan Bender and Audrey Silver. The Herald published a 25 page in-depth article I wrote about those divas. Continues on P. 142
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New jazz
sensation and former beauty queen of Louisiana, Karmyn Tyler is one of
Mr. de Lafayette's new favorites.