D.J. Sweeney http://virb.com/djsweeney D.J. SWEENEY: Are You The One?
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Here are some reviews for my 2006 CD: DJ Sweeney DJ Sweeney DJ Sweeney is a fine singer who has a straightforward delivery, swings lightly, and mostly sticks to the words and melody of the songs that she interprets. She was in Los Angeles for a time but has since relocated to Kansas City. For her self-titled debut, she is joined by a top-notch quartet that includes guitarist Danny Embrey and pianist Paul Smith. Sweeney adds joy and life to a variety of older standards including "I'm Gonna Lock My Heart And Throw Away The Key," "You Turned The Tables On Me" and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love." Other than "My Love Is," all of the songs are at least several decades old but she makes them sound relevant, fairly modern and fun. The music is never complex or complicated, so a long analysis is unnecessary. Simply put, DJ Sweeney sings some of her favorite songs in a likable and accessible fashion while joined by some of Kansas City's top musicians. The only fault to this set (which is available from cdbaby.com) is its brief length (around 36 minutes) but it is easy to enjoy and a strong debut effort. Scott Yanow L.A. Jazz Scene Magazine Reviewer: Vince Staskel The debut self-titled album by this Kansas City jazz gem is a great find indeed. DJ Sweeney recalls the days of caberet jazz and steamy nightclubs. The standards could not be better presented. This CD is a treat for anyone who misses a time when a vocalist told a story of longing and of love. DJ Sweeney is a great find and a class act, indeed. Reviewer: Vince Staskel "DJ brings a strong musical sensibility to this varied collection of tunes, conveying the lyric line without showy histrionics. A fun session for all." -Danny Embrey "I really like the CD. Top notch vocals and instrumentals. Nice choice of tunes." Chuck Haddix, Author of: Kansas City Jazz: From Ragtime to Bebop-A History CD Review in the June/July 2006 issue of JAM Magazine: DJ Sweeney Recorded at Soundtrek Studios, March 2006, Ron Ubel, engineer. Produced by Danny Embrey This is DJ Sweeney's debut recording, an LP-length collection of swingers, standards, and blues, backed expertly by Danny Embrey, Paul Smith, Craig Akin, and Tim Cambron. Having this crew is usually a guarantee that the jazz will be good, and that is the case here as each are allowed ample solo space throughout. Listeners familiar with this rhythm section already know what to expect-they are among the finest players in the area, and they are near the top of their straight-ahead game on these nine cuts. Sweeney has a very smooth, natural sounding voice, never trying to over-embellish. She seems to allow the music to carry the day, rather than just be a showcase for her vocal talents. The delivery and groove on "Im Gonna Lock My Heart and Throw Away the Key" is reminiscent of an Etta Jones outing. DJ is soulful like Etta, and swings right along with the band. The exchange of fours is a good introduction of what Danny, Paul, Craig, and Tim add. The blues "My Love Is" has Smith over in the organ chair and he provides the solo and color for DJ here. "Tables" is sung simply, you can tell that the turning of the tables was no real surprise well before she admits that was truly the case. Paul (back at the Piano) and Craig each get a solo turn here. "Small Day Tomorrow" is a Bob Dorough tune, and Sweeney seems maybe a little sad that her life flies under the radar. There is a lot of help underneath from the rhythm section on this track. Get the picture? Successful song stylists tell a story and they "act" with their inflections and phrasing. and DJ takes this approach. There are two "Kiss" songs here, both less frequently performed standards. An uncredited harmonica - no, that's Danny using the synth on his guitar - adds much to " A Kiss to Build a Dream On" (Louis Armstrong's version in "Sleepless in Seattle," if you need a reminding point of reference). You could picture "Knock Me a Kiss" as a Nat Cole trio-plus-drums vehicle...and it was, from his MacGregor Transcription recordings. "You'd Be So Nice" shows that DJ can navigate a fast flag waver of a swinger; and so can Smith and Cambron in their exchange of fours. "I Can't Give You Anything" is the closer, and is pure balladry - or is it? DJ opens in duo with Paul's piano and you think it is, then after a chorus it turns into an easy finger-snapping four-four. Embrey and Akin solo before DJ takes it out. After the initial listen, a family member mentioned that they would enjoy hearing DJ Sweeney sing live. I suspect that other listeners will have a similar reaction; The songs are enjoyable, and the presentations here only enhance them. The set selection would work well in a club - the pacing keeps the listener involved. A successful outing for DJ Sweeney. -Roger Atkinson Editor of JAM Magazine ]]> Virb 2.0 (@djsweeney) en 01 - Are You the One- http://virb.com/djsweeney/audio/343006 Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:11:04 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/audio/343006 03 - The Meaning of the Blues http://virb.com/djsweeney/audio/343004 Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:09:07 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/audio/343004 My Love Is http://virb.com/djsweeney/audio/142879 Sat, 04 Aug 2007 11:32:34 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/audio/142879 Gentle Rain http://virb.com/djsweeney/audio/131117 Wed, 18 Jul 2007 11:44:55 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/audio/131117 Sweeney 1.mpg.WMV http://virb.com/djsweeney/videos/1756354 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:06:08 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/videos/1756354 Sweeney 3.mpg.WMV http://virb.com/djsweeney/videos/1756352 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:51:37 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/videos/1756352 All The Things You Are http://virb.com/djsweeney/videos/1738992 June 2nd, 2007 at the Mulvane Art Fair Stage of the Coleman Hawkin's Legacy Jazz Festival. Craig Akin~bass, Danny Embrey~ Guitar, and Tim Cambron~drums.

]]> Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:13:48 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/videos/1738992 Sweet Georgia Brown http://virb.com/djsweeney/videos/1738855 DJ Sweeney at the Mulvane Art Fair Stage of the Coleman Hawkin's Legacy Jazz Fest in Topeka, KS. June 2nd, 2007

]]> Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:45:04 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/videos/1738855 6 http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1701915 ]]> Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:24:15 -0800 http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1701915 1 http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1701912 ]]> Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:23:48 -0800 http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1701912 Jeff Harshbarger on bass and Danny Embrey on guitar http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1594758 ]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:19:52 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1594758 Zack Albetta on drums and Adam Kabak on bass http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1594756 ]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:17:54 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1594756 Adam Kabak on bass, Rod Fleeman on guitar, and me http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1594755 ]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:16:12 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1594755 Rod Fleeman on guitar http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1594754 ]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:14:30 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1594754 Adam Kabak on bass and Matt Hopper on guitar http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1594751 ]]> Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:13:57 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1594751 Plaza Art Fair, Sept. 22nd, 2007 http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1436514 ]]> Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:18:46 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1436514 Me. See my boy child over my shoulder? http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1355717

Me with my Reilly boy over my right shoulder.

]]> Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:00:34 -0700 http://virb.com/djsweeney/photos/1355717 Newest Review for "Are You The One?" From JAM Magazine http://virb.com/djsweeney/posts/text/973186 Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:14:36 -0800 http://virb.com/djsweeney/posts/text/973186