Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #112455 in Digital Music Album
• Released on: 2004-07-07
• Running time: 3758 seconds

Customer Reviews

How Can I Keep From Listening?
I first heard Rene'Marie when she performed at the emerging artist stage at the Atlanta Jazz festival in May 2001. Sometimes life offers us the most pleasant surprises,and this was one. I had decided even before Rene' had finished singing that if her CD was available,I had to get it. For her closing number Rene' did a medley that started off with "Dixie",and my first impression was, "What is this woman from Virginia doing?". Then she started singing "Strange Fruit". She Turned It Out! I ran and got the CD right after the show, and from that day to this my ears are full of bright moments. The MaxxJazz CD "How can I Keep From Singing ?" is a masterful effort from Rene' Marie. As I listened, I was in awe,with the thoughtfullnes of her repertoir and arrangements. It would be totally unfair to compare Rene' with any other jazz singers. For when you include new arrangements on "traditional" jazz standards (What A Difference A Day Makes and The Very Thought of You) with her arrangements of songs like "Tennesee Walts" now a nice blues tune, and a medley of Motherless Child-Four Women", plus the songs "I Like You" and "Hurry Sundown" (which she wrote) and "Take My Breath Away"(which she co-wrote)there is no comparison. Rene' is quite accommodating to the musicians, and frequently provides an interlude to showcase their talents.Also included in this CD is a bonus video track "Thanks But I Don't Dance" which will you an idea of what here live performance is like. How can I keep from listening? I can't.

New Star Rising
I first heard René Marie (formerly René Croan) singing "Comes Love" (from her 1998 album "Renaissance," now out of print) from my car stereo while on the road in Los Angeles. I literally pulled off the freeway to let her magnificent voice warm me all over.

So, of course, I rushed to put my ear to her new CD "How Can I Keep from Singing," and I am hooked. Not only does René Marie have the chops, but she is so inventive and entrancing it sends chills down the spine. Don't believe me? Then listen to her yodel midway through her bluesy take on "Tennessee Waltz" -- it's perfect!

And grab a look at the CD-ROM video clip of "Thanks, But I Can't Dance" included on the disc. You'll be watching a marvelous vocalist not just singing a song, but playfully discovering it, freshly savoring it. She simply radiates talent. It's truly hypnotic.

To absorb René Marie's artistry is to bear witness to the rising of a new star. Get this disc so you can say you knew her back when...

Amazing Sound
I first heard Rene Marie sing 'I Like You' on a local Jazz station. I was hooked! Rene could sing the alphabet song and make it sound great. Her style and tone are smooth and delightful to listen to. The instrumentation backup supports her and holds its own level of quality. My favorite tracks are the classic 'What a difference a day makes,' 'The very thought of you,' the soulful 'Four Women', and a stimulating 'How can I keep from singing?' How can I stop from complimenting?? The entire disc is fantastic. Rene's solid voice will remind you of Ella and Sarah, but she stands on her own with this disc.