Alyse Black
Too Much & Too Lovely
© 2007 Little Cherubine Records (700261225951)
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Sexy yet playful. An affectionate Tori Amos seasoned with the phrasing of Billie Holiday.
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A crimson silk voice set to deceptively lovely pop tunes. In the same vein as Michael Bublé and Norah Jones, Alyse combines jazz sensibilities with a pop sound to create sensual music that is winning the hearts of fans across many genres.
While Alyse's songwriting could be likened to the playful jazziness of Regina Spektor, Alyse's voice has been described as a cross between the voices of Tori Amos and Norah Jones. Because Alyse's major influences run the gamut from Billie Holiday to Tom Waits, the tracks of "Too Much & Too Lovely" are at once quirky and sultry.
"Stood for Stand for" received 1st place in Billboard's 2007 World Song Contest in the category of jazz. "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" has been featured on many compilation albums and is a radio favorite along with "Emeline" and "Too Much & Too Lovely." "Sally All My Days," "Complete with Sound Effects," "Don't Give Me One Kiss," and "So Much Brighter" are reviewer favorites.
Seattle-based professional musicians Hans Brehmer (piano), Mark Oi (guitar), Patrick McDanel (bass), Cody Rahn (drums), and Jeff Miller (trumpet) added their respected talents to the project.
The album was recorded and mixed by Reed Ruddy at Seattle's Studio X and mastered by Will Quinnell at New York's Sterling Sound.
Alyse's Sordid Tale
Alyse was born into a house of Ragtime piano and musical theater. She learned her first notes on the piano from her father before she can remember. She first ventured onto a stage alone to sing at age six. She began violin at 10 and quit violin at 11 in favor of voice. She began to toy with a guitar around 15. She first recorded in a studio at 17. At 18, Alyse felt the call of the singer-songwriter but couldn't follow. She then freaked out and didn't turn in a completed application to Juilliard at 19. Oddly enough, she went to business school and entered the corporate world. It didn't take long to realize that was a mistake. So she left to follow her passion on the streets of Pike Place Market in Seattle.
Influences
Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Tori Amos, Eva Cassidy, Norah Jones, Ani Difranco, Portishead, Sarah McLachlan, Bjork, Eliott Smith, Tom Waits, Fiona Apple, Edith Piaf, Jude, Mazzy Star, Sparklehorse, Cranberries, Poe, Sarah Vaughan, Led Zepplin.
Discography
Other than "Too Much & Too Lovely," last spring Alyse released the EP, "Musical Chocolate for the Discerning Ear," with her samba-love song-jazz group, Thursty Love.
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Quietly To The Top
author: Kit McGuireMost singer/songwriters will dig down into their heart and soul to pull out material worthy of airplay and success, but Alyse takes you with her so you feel and sense what she does. You connect in a very private and personal way. As an air personality playing Indie artists, I found her at her beginning and have been playing her ever since. I rarely hang on to any one artists at long length, but Alyse owns my senses and has captivated me into believing in her totally! This is only the beginning for this artist. The best is just around the corner. Too Much and Too Lovely goes wherever I go to this day! A culmination of blends reminding us of Billie Holiday, Norah Jones and Maria Muldaur all rolled into one but much more enticing coming through Alyse Black!
Too Much & Too Lovely
author: Steve BinghamAlyse is headed straight for stardom! She reminds me so much of Nora Jones and how she snuck onto the scene, went indy, then jazz, then pop, then straight to a handful of Grammies! This album is due to be a smash hit. Sometimes starting on CDBaby might sound pretty tame, but fame does happen in strange ways - even right from CDBaby! With a wonderful sultry voice that will curl your toes, Alyse is a name that will soon soar to the top. Her recent Grammy nomination was a start! Even though she didn't reach the finals, that WILL happen next year. As the GM of an FM station I get a ton of new music every week - but Alyse was so exceptional! She went immediatly to our play list - then to our top ten! You gotta at least listen!