CDs WORLD OF MUSIC

THE WORLD OF MUSIC: THE 5 STARS CDs

Liesl Müller is the Real Thing!

Meine Lieblingslieder CD

A refined lady who sings like a femme fatale chanteuse of "Les annees folles" and Paris Pigale of 1930. A warm and sinfully evocative voice which brings to life the magic, nostalgia and tender beauty of a vanished golden era of the early days of Cabaret and Kabaret of Paris and Berlin. Listening to Liesl Müller's "Paris Canaille" is a joyfully sad delight, because Liesl awakes in us cherished memories we lost for ever. Liesl's interpretation of Edith Piaf's "Milord" is tenderly sublime. She did capture the intimate moments, the passion and the vocal virtuosity of Piaf. Liesl did not sing Piaf's biggest hit with a French flair. She did it her way; an honest, warm and emotionally captivating personal interpretation. Liesl Müller is an authentic cabaret chanteuse with class, style, finesse and emotions. She is the real thing! Her recent CD " Wien und der Wein" is a vocal and musical triumph.

Quelques Chansons que j'aime Caio Bescarano Photos from L to R: Diva Muller, Legendary Maestro Caio Bescarano.

The simple, yet melodiously beautiful musical arrangements, the fabulous accordion half java, half musette "flons flons", and the voice of Ms. Müller gave us a magnificent recording. The accompaniment of Caio Bescarano, Mario Cavaceppi and David Perkins are first class. And this is exactly what Ms. Muller needed to authentically and truthfully recapture the golden era of European cabaret. The song "Drunt' in der Lobau" (Down there in the Lobau) is a pure magic. It tells us the story of a woman who "cannot find the place where her young lover kissed her, but she does remember every bit of that wonderful moment when they kissed: nightingales were singing, happiness laughed from a thousand branches, and they dreamt of an everlasting love." Liesl did a superb job in singing that song. Wien und der Wein is a marvelous CD. Two thumbs up! Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Buy it. Get your copy. You will treasure it for many years to come.- Reviewer: Maximillien de Lafayette, syndicated columnist and art critic. London. UK.

WIEN UND DER WEIN: GEM IEJCD3. Licensed by MCPS. Highbreck Associates. www.golden-era.co.uk.

SOFIA LAITI: NEW FRESH BREEZE FOR AMERICAN CABARET. THE HOTTEST DIVA ON THE BLOCK!

Mysterious American chanteuse Sofia Laiti is making a big buzz with her recently released CD YOU DON'T KNOW ME, her debut recording of European and American cabaret repertoire. I just said Cabaret Debut, not a singer career debut, because she has already 3 CDs to her credit. She has been classically trained, but for some reasons, she decided to become a jazz singer. A short biography by Alex Henserson in All Music Guide sheds a light on the background of this singer. It goes like this "A Finnish immigrant who has lived in the U.S. since 1991, Sofia Laiti has shown much promise as a jazz singer and interpreter of lyrics. Laiti, who was originally from northern Finland and later lived in Helsinki, had sung with various Finnish players when she went to New York in September 1989 to record her debut album for CBS' Finnish division, Manhattan Memories, which featured saxman Scott Robinson, pianist Larry Ham, bassist Ray Drummond, and drummer Klaus Suonsaari. Laiti continued to live in Finland until 1991, when she made a permanent move to New York and tackled the Manhattan club scene.

The distinctive vocalist, whose Scandinavian accent adds a certain smokiness to her work, followed Manhattan Memories with two CDs on her own Midnight Sun label: 1994's Inspira (which boasted John Hicks on piano) and 1995's The Midnight Sun Will Never Set. Recorded when Laiti was seven or eight months pregnant with her daughter, Susan, the latter was produced by tenor sax dynamo Houston Person and featured him prominently. Her discography credits include: "You Don't Me", "The Midnight Sun Will Never Set" and "Inspira". Ms. Laiti inherited a musical advantage "over" American cabaret singers. She is European, and consequently, she understands European cabaret much more and much better than her peers and counterparts in the United States. Few articles were written about her. But, the reviews she received were glowing. It appears that two international music critics and writers, Houston Person and Maximillien de Lafayette are fascinated by this singer. Another article (probably the second or the third) by Henderson appeared recently on the website Allaboutjazz (Recommended). Henderson

You Don't Know Me

After becoming a mother a few years ago, singer Sofia Laiti became less visible on the New York club scene (although she did release her impressive CD, The Midnight Sun Will Never Set, independently in 1997).The Finnish immigrant's recent engagement at New York's Tavern On The Green marked her return to performing after a two-year hiatus, and as she approached the stage of the pricey tourist trap, Laiti was understandably nervous. But when Laiti, who was joined only by pianist James Weidman, opened with “Easy To Remember,” her soulful charisma came through loud and clear. And she was no less confident on “Darn That Dream,” “I Thought About You” and the sultry Peggy Lee hit “Fever.” Thankfully, the lyrical Weidman (who recorded an enjoyable trio date, People Music for the Swiss TCB label) had plenty of room to solo. Of course, The Tavern is primarily a restaurant rather than a jazz club, and Laiti's sets were heard by tourists more than seasoned jazz fans. One hopes that in the future, hardcore jazz audiences will again have a chance to enjoy Laiti's talents. " Karl Stober, an international freelance columnist and broadcaster is also taken by this mysterious and hot diva. On the ejaznews website, wrote "The seductive Finnish vocals are almost Dietrich-esk as Sofia Laiti introduces you to her distinct interpretation of jazz vocals with "You Don't Know Me" released by Midnight Sun Music Production. Embracing such classic hits as I'm In The Mood For Love, The Way We Were, and I'll Never Smile Again, Ms. Laiti brings her own unique style and tempo to these ageless songs. Make no mistake about Ms. Laiti; even with the language barrier she ignites the feelings that were meant to be felt when these songs first hit the charts. Side by side with Ms. Laiti are tenor saxophonist Houston Person, pianist Larry Ham, bassist Leon Dorsey, and drummer Vince Ector, all who bring a fresh and crisp sound to the project. One will notice right out of the box the deep bodacious tones coming from within Ms. Laiti's small frame. This is a fresh, deeply sensual at times, new sound that takes jazz in a new direction. One can experience that sound when listening to I'm In The Mood For Love and the Piaf standard, La Vie En Rose. Both percolate with seduction and that café type romance Hollywood made so famous. Ms. Laiti more than any cut on this project, scripts vocally her signature out on title song "You Don't Know Me". The sax in this composition is very prominent and makes this effort stand out. The backdrop of ivories assists in delivering the romantic message. To listen is to know Ms. Laiti. Then maybe you will "Know Her".SOFIA LAITI OR THE MOST UNUSUAL AND INTELLIGENT CABARET SINGER IN THE BUSINESS. Laiti Voice". This woman can sing! This woman can tell you the whole damned story of your life in two lines. For, her voice is abundant with feelings, intelligence, sweet-bitter affection, drama, le risqué , a sinfully beautiful cadence and forbidden nostalgia...In Laiti's voice, you sense, you feel, you smell the sensual fragrance of a femme fatale. In Laiti's voice, you discover how enchanting and alarming is to look -straight in the eyes- at a woman who is physically captivating, emotionally threatening to our health and intelligently motivating. Laiti's voice gives you this sensation: Sensuality, intelligence, comfort, motivation." And de Lafayette goes on to say: "Critics who reviewed her recent CD "You Don't Me" called her a jazz singer, and referred to her as a singer who is "taking jazz into a new direction." Others wrote " Ms. Laiti has a romantic, sensual voice, with softness of real jazz sound..." Fine! This is very true but, not true enough! For they have missed the "class", the "elegance", the "melodrama", the "intelligence", the " intellectual eroticism", the "aroma of a femme fatale", the "aura of La Dame Tragique", and the "roaring finesse " in the voice of Sofia Laiti. WOW! It appears this woman is really something. One way to find out; get a copy of You Don't Me. I did. And I loved every song on the track. Ms. Laiti is a new fresh breeze for the American cabaret.