Black Lace Freudian Slip [CD]

I've been an avid follower of Rene Marie since I was introduced to her 10 years ago. She's always included a couple of her own compositions on each of her releases, but she's now reversing the mix of covers vs. originals. "Black Lace Freudian Slip" is a collection of mostly original tunes which never fails to please.

Rene always approaches her music with tremendous conviction, but she also has a tremendous sense of humor which comes out in the first 2 tunes. "Black Lace Freudian Slip" is an obvious play on words which has a wonderfully funky vibe to it. "This For Joe" is dedicated to a club owner who was not always happy that Rene liked to mix her own songs into her performances. It's a song for musicians of all genres who have struggled to play their own music.

The next track "Wishes" deserves a paragraph of it's own. It's that good. Based on the idea "If Wishes were horses, Beggars would ride", it's one of those songs that just reaches into your soul and grabs your heart. This song has Standard written all over it. Worth the price of admission to the whole CD, but at the same time, the rest of the CD delivers as well. I hope, as opposed to wish, that Rene allows other artists to hear and record this song.

"Thanks, But I Don't Dance" evokes images of a smoke filled club with a singer singing songs that seduce the patrons to stay and buy another drink or smoke another cigarette just so that they can listen to her sing. "Free For A Day" is another easy flowing uptempo piece with very nice piano work from her long time collaborator.

Every track deserves a mention, which is a tribute to Rene's growth as a song writer. Some of these tracks have appeared on earlier CD's but have been reworked for various reasons, such as "Rim Shot" another fun, upbeat and sexy tune will leave a smile on your face.

A special mention needs to be given to "Deep In The Mountains", a song written by Rene's son, Michael. It's a deeply personal song for both of them, written while Michael was in prison. Michael takes the lead and Rene sings harmony. It's a wonderful moment on a wonderful piece of work.

If you're already a fan of Rene's earlier work, you will in no way be disappointed in Black Lace Freudian Slip. If you've somehow stumbled across this review or selection, be prepared to be amazed with the talent which is Rene Marie.

René Marie adds another album of sensual, emotionally direct and worldly-wise material to her oeuvre. This album tends toward the quiet and gentler side of her interpretive style with a few trips into middle tempo numbers. This is crushed velvet, a cuban cigar, and 40 year scotch by firelight. Not a bad track to be found, but "Fallin' off a Log" and "Gosh, Look at the Time" really stand out here. We also get the treat of some blues/gospel in the track "Deep in the Mountains." All in all, probably one of my top "jazz" vocal albums to come out this year.

I just love this album and have recommended it to many of my jazz minded friends. I have since bought many more of her albums. Always great to learn about a new talent.
Her voice is full and sensuous. And ingenious. Many different styles as you'll hear from her other CD's (sorry. Downloads!) There's a lot of great new jazz female vocalists out there, but she really gets to me.