MARILYN KELLER: At Last

Marilyn Keller

At Last

© 2002 SachiKurachi

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"So fine is her understanding of lyrics and the emotional nuances they seek to convey, so honest and invested is her delivery, she makes any song sound like a statement of truth and soul."--Marty Hughley, Oregonian Music Critic

tracks

1 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
2 Nights in Santorini
3 With You I'm Born Again
4 Fragile
5 For All We Know
6 Moondance
7 Into My Secrets
8 Don't Go to Strangers
9 My Funny Valentine
10 Peace on Earth
11 At Last
12 Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
13 God Bless the Child

notes

TEXT OF DARRELL GRANT'S CD NOTE:

In my travels I've heard some great vocal talents, but far fewer are the singers whose every note has the power to move me. When you hear Marilyn the first thing you notice is that beautiful, powerful, sweet voice. But this woman also has a way of reaching right down to the soul of songs and touching them with magic. Duke Ellington said the great artist is one who is "beyond category." Whether you love gospel, soul, blues, jazz, or music by any other name, I know you will be moved by this woman's magical voice, by her honesty, and depth of feeling. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this recording. And I wish you as much pleasure listening to it as I have had in working on it. -Darrell Grant


REVIEW EXCERPTS:
"Marilyn Keller includes an unaccompanied version of "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" on her debut CD, "At Last." It offers an unvarnished encounter with her smooth, pure alto voice. ... Keller has devloped a beautiful vocal instrument for jazz, R&B, blues and gospel. Her sure intonation, eloquent diction and controlled power are by themselves remarkable. What really sets Keller, 39, apart from others blessed with great pipes, though,is her humility before the song itself. ... many listeners will relish the opportunity to linger on the singer's every word, to pull her voice over them like a warm blanket, finding comfort and ispiration in a voice that can evoke an orchestra of emotion in a single word." -- Lynn Darroch, OregoniaN

"Her voice is like a crystal which carries the listener straight into the essence of each song. It's been known to make strong men cry and people hug as the last note is dying away. it often happens to the veteran musicians who accompany her too." -- Nick Bertram, Jazzscene, Oregon's Jazz Magazine


PRESS RELEASE TEXT:
Marilyn Keller has evolved into Oregon's premier jazz singer. Those who have followed her career--whether as enthusiastic fan, musician or director in need of vocalist--have long anticipated her debut as the recording artist versus featured singer. To her legion of fans that have long asked, "when will you come out with your own CD?" she answers with characteristic charm and wit by naming her debut recording, At Last.

Oregonian music critic Marty Hughley wrote of Marilyn "So fine is her understanding of lyrics and the emotional nuances they seek to convey, so honest and invested is her delivery, she makes any song sound like a statement of truth and soul." Her passionate conviction to the power of song is evident throughout the recording and especially so in her interpretation of Rachelle Ferrell's Peace on Earth and Sting's Fragile which has become an anthem in the 9/11 aftermath.

Besides At Last, the song list includes other jazz and popular hits such as The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, My Funny Valentine, With You I'm Born Again, and Moondance. But to merely say she covers these standards would sell short a real possibility that her versions will be become the standard for those who come after her.

Of particular interest to the jazz community will be the opportunity to hear the first recordings of Darrell Grant's Nights in Santorini, and Into My Secrets. Grant, pianist, recording artist and composer, is head of Jazz Studies at Portland State University. The complex interplay of percussion, guitar and piano are the perfect challenge to show off Marilyn's divine instrument, also known as "Da Pipes."

And as Marilyn has been the dependable featured guest on many other's CD's, so does she now have a solid lineup of fine musicians backing her: George Mitchell, Brian Ward, Phil Baker, Ron Steen, Mark Schneider, Jason Palmer and Israel Annoh. Her two producers are the standout musicians Don Latarski and Darrell Grant who are also collaborating for the first time. These are musicians who have toured nationally with world class jazz and soul singers. Not only is Marilyn showcased, but the listener is also treated to a syzygistic jazz moment when talented musicians and love of the form align.

She might be called Portland's own except that she has already developed a following as she has appeared around the country at festivals with Black Swan Classic Jazz Band, Rue de Blues and Kukrudu. The world may be her next stage, but with Marilyn Keller one can be confident she will always return home just as she returns to simplicity and her gospel roots in the last songs, Motherless Child and God Bless the Child. Marilyn Keller, blessed child of song, has got her own at last.

reviews

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  • Marilyn Rocks!
    author: Suzanne

    I love the At Last CD. I've known how rich Marilyn's voice is from way back when! And she has only gotten richer and can only continue in that direction. Can't wait to hear her next "baby!"

  • At last! Marilyn Keller is the voice I've been waiting for!
    author: Joanne Morse

    At last! Marilyn Keller is the voice I've been waiting for, and At Last presents that voice with much of the variety, richness of tone, to-the-bone emotionalism, sureness of phrasing, and clarity of style that so thrilled me when I saw Marilyn in person this summer. I will be buying more copies to wow my friends...Marilyn, you've got fans!

  • Fabulous. Beautiful voice. Wonderful CD.
    author: Mary Watt

    Saw Marilyn preform in person at the Florence Event Center. She has a fabulous voice. I purchase her CD after the show. I played it for my friend and as I couln't part with my copy have recently ordered/recieved one for her through CD Baby. My intent is to make a gift of it to her for her birthday. What a gift! Marilyn has not gotten the exposure she so well deserves. Hope to see more of her in the future.

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