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Our Review

On her new holiday offering Noél, One from the Heart, Barbara Montgomery's silky voice dominates. Neither sad nor wistful, her vocals are remarkably pensive and contemplative. Like the oracle, its answers are always heavy with import.

Conveniently, Ms. Montgomery has chosen a set of holiday songs that fit the depth of her expression. From What Child Is This to O Come O Come Emmanuel, these songs give her voice room to explore the depths of poignancy. Even the opener, I'll Be Home For Christmas is delivered with passion that says "I'll be home, but don't expect Christmas to be like some Norman Rockwell painting."

Such a passionate performance is meant for late evening listening, where one's mind can picture the singer in a dark, smoke-filled cabaret, looking over her microphone at the audience and, occasionally, exchanging knowing glances with her pianist (Tom Lawton), whose mood seems to exactly match hers. If you're in the mood for this sort of cabaret jazz experience, Noél, One from the Heart is just what the doctor ordered.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Barbara Montgomery, vocals
Tom Lawton, piano (except "O Holy Night", Barry Sames)

Executive Producer: Barbara Montgomery
Produced by Barbara Montgomery, Tom Lawton, and Glenn Barratt

Arrangements by Barbara Montgomery and Tom Lawton
(Except "O Holy Night", Barbara Montgomery and Barry Sames)

Harmonization on "What Child Is This" by Bernard Peiffer

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Morningstar Recording Studios, Ambler, Pennsylvania

Design by Dean Sciarra, www.ItsAboutMusic.com

Photography by Michael Spain-Smith

Manufactured by bjazz.com records, a division of Mr. Bean and Bumpy Music, Inc.

Barbara Montgomery

Noél,
One from the Heart

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Track List