Nelli McKay -- Get Away From Me

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Anybody heard this one? Sounds... different, maybe good.

[Underhound]

I have this disc. I like it. Nellie has a cool attitude, smart and clever beyond her years. It's good to hear a nineteen year old be so cynical. Great voice and a tasteful pianist though occasionly her playing is a bit smothered in overproduction. Still the arrangements are for the most part pretty fun. Jazz/pop with much more spirit and energy than Norah Jones fer sure.

The few stripped down piano ballads are especially nice.

From seeing her on TV I can also tell you she's also quite an attractive young thang.

[Other Steve]

She's an extremely talented singer-songwriter, although I find her carefully cultivated oddness a bit offputting. There was an interesting (if fawning) profile in the New York Times Magazine a couple of weeks ago, which ought to still be available online free of charge.

I believe the "age 19" claim has been debunked.

[Dr Dave]

Product. Not Art. Product.

[Underhound]

Yeah, you've got a point there Dr. Downer. She must be rolling in it, what with the animated TV series, not to mention the lunch boxes and action figures. Add to that her upcoming Super Bowl halftime spectacular and I would have to agree that she's really being shoved down our throats.

Damn product. Grrrr, Humbug

[hearsay]

Originally Posted by Other Steve

I believe the "age 19" claim has been debunked.

Really, how old is she?

[Chaney]

Originally Posted by Dr Dave

Product. Not Art. Product.

On Nellie's site you'll find plenty of free 'product'.

Nellie McKay

[Squaredancecalling Steve]

Thanks, Tony!


>>Critics have drawn comparisons from everyone to an Eminem-inspired Doris Day to jazz vocalist Blossom Dearie to the legendary composers Cole Porter and Randy Newman -- a quirky mix that is telling of Nellie's craftsmanship and startling stylistic diversity.

Nellie nods at the influences, and adds to the list John Lennon, Marlene Dietrich, Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, and "the beat of hip-hop." Among her favorites are the 60's girl groups: the Shirelles, the Chiffons, the Shangri-Las, the Supremes. "I've listened to a bit of Eminem, but more of the Mamas and the Papas," she said.<<


"the Shirelles, the Chiffons, the Shangri-Las" -- this is my girl!!!



BTW, her first "product" is a budget priced 2-CD set, as nefarious a marketing device as you're likely to find anywhere.

[Uli]

Originally Posted by Squaredancecalling Steve

>>Critics have drawn comparisons from everyone to an Eminem-inspired Doris

That's my girl!

[steve(thelil)]

I don't think she's just product. I have listened to the CD several times and read alot about her. I have also given her disc (2CD set, actually) to several people as Christmas presents.

I don't think it's calculated oddness. I think she's legitimately odd and aloof, which makes her extremely private and secretive, but also makes it easy for writers to portray her as having a calculated oddness.

And I really dug her calling her CD "Get Away from Me" as a contrast to Norah Jones's "Come Away With Me*"





*thanks to Tony for the editing assistance

[Chaney]

Originally Posted by Squaredancecalling Steve

Thanks, Tony!

Her MUSIC DOWNLOADS section seems to be down right now but once it's up, you're sure to be pleased; lots of audio and an especially cute video of her appearance on Letterman's show.

[frankiepop]

i ditto the above positive musical remarks. her jazz vocals are a helluva lot better than the dry wasteland of jazz vocal music? that is out there...

she is my new favorite jazz singer/songwriter...she is clever in a similar way as to randy and mose with a hip naiveness...

[frankiepop]

she wrote this for thelil:
Inner Peace

In high school it was cool to say
you look funny
you’re a retard dummy
a retarded dummy
yeah you suck out of luck

still is cool btw