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Harriet Goldberg is a songwriter from the Boston area. "Ocean of
Dreams" is her second CD of original music, written in the style
of old standards...ballads, bossas, and swing. Her debut CD, "Bring
Back the Moonlight," placed fourth in the vocal jazz category of
the Just Plain Folks 2004 Music Awards. In addition to distributing her
CD's, Ms. Goldberg is searching for talented vocalists to perform or record
her material.
Ms. Goldberg has studied classical as well as jazz piano. She began writing
songs, both music and lyrics, several years ago. Her tune "Suddenly
You Walked By" placed 2nd in the jazz category of the 2002 Billboard
Song Contest, and was a finalist in the 2003 USA Songwriting Contest.
Ms. Goldbergs work has been featured in the MAC/ASCAP Songwriters
Showcase in New York City, in Boston Sings Boston III & IV, a cabaret
of original material by Boston songwriters, in NOMTI's (New Opera &
Musical Theater Initiative) 2004 Birth of a Musical Cabaret, at the Cambridge
Multi Cultural Arts Center, and at Scullers and the Regattabar, two leading
Boston jazz clubs. Additionally, Ms. Goldbergs song, Bring
Back the Moonlight, is covered by jazz vocalist Shelley Neill on
her new CD, entree blue.
The songs on "Ocean of Dreams" are performed by two exceptionally
talented Boston/Providence vocalists, Debra
Mann and
Dane Vannatter. Each singer offers a
unique style and quality to the material. Ms. Mann is a pianist, as well
as a singer. Her lush, low register vocals recall the sound of Diana Krall.
Her uptempo tunes make you smile, her ballads make you cry. Dane Vannatter,
an IRNE and N.Y. Bistro award winning vocalist, has a beautiful, shimmering
quality to his voice. His renditions of the bossas and the title track
are mesmerizing. The vocalists on "Bring Back the Moonlight"
are Debra Mann, who plays piano on half the tracks, and Cassandre
McKinley. Ms. McKinley's style recalls that of Peggy Lee. There is
a haunting intensity to the slow tunes she performs. And she really swings
on "Suddenly You Walked By."
The talents of the other musicians on "Ocean of Dreams" are
exceptional. Billy Novick, an inspired clarinetist and alto sax player,
was the arranger. Both his solos and arrangements add a unique beauty
to the music. Paul Schmeling plays piano on all but one of the tracks.
His lush chords, lingering piano introductions, and his solos are awe-inspiring.
John Wheatley on guitar beautifully and gracefully augments the bossas.
Marshall Wood provides a strong, steady bass throughout, and immediately
sets the pace on the first tune. The talented Bill Reynolds on drums rounds
out this group of inspired musicians.
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