Fine Music Radio 101.3 FM CD of the Week, 21 Feb 2011

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Great to hear Louise on a commercial release at last . I don’t understand why she hasn’t had more recognition for her talent ! I’ve always loved her voice and the way she uses it – not just any old singer this one – a special voice ! – thanks Albert for doing this album – Michael Hankinson via Facebook

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Beautiful! Very seductive! – Prof. Peter Klatzow

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Sweet voice, beautiful piano playing is what you’ll find on this 15 track album of well-known American standards. Interesting arrangements, here, the voice and piano work in complete harmony with each other. It is a perfect album for listening to in the rush hour traffic because at the end of it al your peaceful frame of sanity will remain, no matter how many idiots are causing road rage around you. – Eric Alan,  Radio 2000 Jazz Rendezvous Top South African Jazz Releases 2010 Part 2.

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What I heard was lovely pensive singing… gently carried by real subtle and sensitive accompanimet as opposed to wildly difficult jazz voicings,  which although exciting, with jazz duos often fails to create the carpet of melodic colour needed to really bring a beautiful voice like Louise’s to the fore. It also works well as a group of songs for a program – Anthea Haupt (Website Comments)

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Really beautiful! Bravo, Louise and Albert! – Dr. Barry Smith via Facebook

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I went to Night Sessions tonight, all the way out  to Die Boer, beyond the ‘boerewors gordyn’, and the show was amazing,  the singing sublime with such control, the piano work gentle and  sensitive and the unannounced song composed by Albert Combrink a  showstopper. I wish Besame Mucho was on the cd though. – Mark Hoeben via Facebook

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I listened to your “Devil Moon ” on Facebook. It is original, fresh and most enyoyable. Congratulations. – Prof. Thomas Rajna via Facebook

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Well Done Albert , you are a brilliant pairing  and agree with Mark your song was the SHOWSTOPPER, I want to hear it  again …PLEEEEZ ?  – Andre Smith via Facebook

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Listened to the YouTube version Louise and wow! If there’s a CD, I’ll buy it. – Martine Viljoen, via Facebook

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I really like what you’ve done with Louise Howlett. Such expression in your playing!! Congrats! – Zenobia Kloppers via Facebook

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Louise, I listened to your Youtube “Stardust”. Oh my, that was wonderful. You have got that touch – Mike Blake via Facebook

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Albert you and Louise are absolute stars, the  performance was just amazing and I sang to the CD all the way home! Keep up the great work, we need more performers like you. I can’t tell you how much it warms my heart to hear Rainbow Connection performed the way  you do! Erica Meles-Libenberg via Facebook

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That was a great launch; thank you for the music – Pauline Treffers via Facebook

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It sounds so cool!! Well done. – Antoinette Blythe via Fabook

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I’ve listened to some of the demo tracks – it  sounds awesome!!!! I know it’s going to be a  huge success!! – Yvonne-Marié Brand via Facebook

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Cd is awesome! go and enjoy launch! – Henriette Weber via Facebook

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This woman has an exceptionally gorgeous voice. Well done. Beautiful recording, Albert. You are indeed versatile 🙂 – Anthea Haupt via Facebook

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Sounds great Albert – Carlo Bidoli – via Facebook

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Gorgeous! Jazz is a state of mind – and you have it!!! You complement one another beautifully!!! – John Walton via Facebook

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Sounds stunning. I’ll definitely get the album when I’m back home. Well done – Fran Leavy

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Wow! You did it again! You and Louise sound great! – Carin Johnson via Facebook

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SPLENDID! Good luck with whole cd, it’s marvelous. – Mark Hoeben via Facebook

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I also loved the concert and think that you and Louise are doing a fantastic job and performance. Well done. Hard work will pay off – Barbara Lenhard

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Sounds great! – Prof. Ruth Goveia via Facebook

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Wow! Great excerpt. Louise Howlett and Albert Combrink complement each other very well in this collaboration. Well done, you two – Anver Ali Karbelkar via Facebook

 

 

Like a Half-darkened theater

Both Howlett and Combrink wear more than one hat in the music world. He is a superb and humble accompanist and does his part almost unnoticed. Then he can be very flamboyant when he performs with the CT Tango Ensemble. She drifts effortlessly from classical to musicals to jazz.

For this album they chose ballads and timeless songs. The CD conjures up a half-darkened, small theatre. The pianist is probably wearing a hat, and the singer is in a black dress. In this atmosphere the work of Sondheim, Cole Porter and Edith Piaf fit snugly.

The most beautiful song on the album is “Song to the Moon” – Dvorak can be sung.

This is an album for a niche market, but will reward anyone who quietly sits and listens to it.

Mariana Malan

Die Burger & Die Beeld

Friday 26 November 2010.