Dee Dee Bridgewater
J'ai Deux Amours

Review By Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
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  How does a little jazz music French style sound? Listen to Dee Dee Bridgewater and find out for yourself on her amazing new album J'ai Deux Amours. Dee Dee is an enormously talented vocalist that travels through a tune in French or English, or in some cases back and forth. I found this to be not only immensely entertaining, but also a stunning exhibition of versatility. Her voice is pleasing, soft, and filled with the rhythm of jazz and blues. It warms your soul and gets your feet in motion at the same time. Several tracks got my attention on this contemporary jazz excursion.

I must pay tribute to the musicians that allow this songbird to do her thing first. Louis Winsberg (lead guitar), Ira Coleman (bass), Marc Berthoumitux (accordion), and Minino Garay (percussion, drums) are all exceptional musicians that play with flair and style. When you first hear this, you are saying to yourself, "I need an interpreter, I do not understand French", well let me tell you something-that thought leaves your head quickly. Once you hear Dee Dee singing, you find yourself immersed in the music and even without understanding one word, find a comfort level and understanding of where she is coming from. It happens somehow, if the music is good it never matters which language the vocals are in because if the feeling is there, it comes through the music with lucidity.

"Ne me quitte pas" is a delightful number. Its airy atmosphere and lighthearted warmth secures your belief in what this album is all about, everything that happens after that is icing on the cake. Dee Dee Bridgewater seems to be having a ball while switching from French and English in the happy go lucky "Dansez sur moi (Girl talk)." It is one of the best tracks on the album, filled with funky fun. Perhaps the most unlikely occurrence is to hear her do some scatting in French on "Les feuilles mortes." I cannot say that this something I have ever heard before. I am sure its common in France but it is entirely new and different for this listener. This is how the album closes out, leaving you in wonder of everything you just heard. I did have to listen a few times to "get it" but it was better with every listen. Its actually quite simple you know, if you appreciate good jazz, anything out of the ordinary like this is a real treat and entirely unique. If you seek all of the above, check out this artist, its entertainment at its very best.

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