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Space-Age, Latin, Exotica,
Balladiers, and Las Vegas Lounge. Music for an
atomic age! >December 03, 2004
After listening to Rebecca Kyler Downs' CD, "Love Me Like Candy", two things kept entering my mind - I want to be her new best friend and I want to touch my butt and make a sizzling sound.
Ms. Downs collection of original material and songbook standards is a delightful diorama showcasing a woman who wants to find love and a "daddy", but certainly on her own terms and to suit her fancy.
The album is peppered with original gems like "Love Me Like Candy" written with Brian Schwartz (a featured song in the movie "Cooler") which speaks volumes of where this album is going - she may be sweet, but honey, underneath that wrapper is a vixen at heart. "Béarnaise" with songwriter Red Young is a witty and delectably naughty romp through a land reminiscent of Blossom Dearie, yet updated to Ms. Downs' flair for pastiche. "Boogie with the Bad Cats" is hot and swinging with a great band to back up her pipes and make one want to cut a rug.
One of my favorite pieces is a cover of "Love for Sale" set to a titillating Latin beat that is immediately infectious. She even does Sondheim justice with her sexy rendition of "Sooner or Later." Touché!!
The arrangements are lush and full with wonderful solos by the band members that only enhance Ms. Downs' spectacular voice. The production values of this recording are rich.
All in all, it's just a ding-dang fine album by someone I am glad to have discovered. Ms. Downs is someone I will watch in the future, as I think she really has something special.
To learn more about Ms. Downs or to buy her CD, please visit www.rebeccakylerdowns.com. The red gloves alone are worth the trip to the website.
4 of 4 Martini's and a plane ticket to LA to meet this tart that we all should know.
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