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Renee Olstead
Reneé Olstead
Retail Price (not our price): $18.98
Release Date: 2004-05-25
Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea
Format: Audio CD
Discs: 1

Track List
Now here, for your listening pleasure, the tracks...

Disc 1

Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):

1) Amazon.com
No less an expert on pop affairs than Neil Sedaka likens the impossibly mature voice of 14-year-old vocalist/TV star (CBS' Still Standing) Renee Olstead to "Patsy Cline, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday all wrapped in one." There's no disputing the sultry vocal talents showcased on this debut that balances familiar chestnuts from the great American songbook ("Summertime," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Sentimental Journey") with more recent fare that veers from R 'n' B sass ("Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby") to 70s chart hits like Sedaka's own "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and Maria Muldaur's "Midnight at the Oasis." A cynical ear might question how much of Olmstead's own life informs these bluesy performances: how trying can eigth grade be for an attractive redhead with a major label contract? Indeed, the tagline for at least one latter-day Ella Fitzgerald project comes frequently to mind here: "Is it real, or it Memorex?" Olmstead is yet another teen protege of hugely successful producer David Foster (who's midwifed the careers of Josh Groban and Michael Buble in recent years), and he provides her with some sturdy jazz arrangements to riff emotively on here--even if his production is as slick and bloodless as ever. Still, Foster's penchant for overwrought melodrama is kept mercifully in check on his own composition "I Want a Love to Last," while his shrewd teaming of the young chanteuse with fellow teen pop phenom Peter Cincotti on Sedaka's "Breaking Up.." deftly underscores the promising talents of both. --Jerry McCulley

2) Album Description
Renee Olstead, co-star of the Top CBS comedy series "Still Standing" releases her self-titled major label debut. With a seriously bluesy jazz voice, Olstead wows everyone who hears her, including the renowned David Foster who co- produced this album of classics. Unless someone told you, you might never suspect that Olstead is only in high school! Renee Olstead ... hear her ... you won't believe your ears.

Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5

1) One of the best vocalists in many years   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
I first saw this young lady perform "Summertime" as a dream sequence on her sitcom, "Still Standing". I couldn't believe the vocal ability she had and she was only 15 years old at the time. Thanks to Amazon I was able to find a complete album of her songs with many great classics which she more than does justice to. This is a multi-talented performer who has a great future in both acting and singing. She has a kind of jazz/classical style with amazing range and lyric interpretation that is unbelievable. I hope to see more albums from Ms. Olstead. If you want to hear a great vocalist belt out the great classics, buy this album right away. You won't be disappointed.

2) She had to grow up during the heart of Jazz   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
I remember watching her on "Still Standing" and hearing her sing during one of the episodes and thought great another sitcom kicking off a singing career. I thought that until it went to her in the kitchen and the hair stood up on my arms and I got that tingle on the back of my neck as the song progressed.She reminds me of all the old Jazz. It really makes you wonder what it would have been like to sit in a Jazz bar in Paris listening to Sarah Vaughn or Ella. When I play this at home it is great to sit with some candles and a bottle of wine while my wife and I just relax and dream of all the old easy listening jazz bars. Instead of this crazy loud bass music.It is a great start. I hope she keeps it up.

3) Olstead CD   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
Best CD I have ever purchased. Love every song on the CD. Ms. Olstead has a magnificant voice, should have a current CD come out! She is up there with Chris Botti, Michael Buble. Needs more recognition for this fantastic CD- what a voice!

4) Woweee,wowzer   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
I bought this for my husband for Christmas and think that it went down very well ! Firstly, he couldn't believe that she is so young. He loved the style and arrangement, not conventional / tradtional jazz, he is a Diana Krall and Eva Cassidy fan, but he just thought this was fantastic. It was a first buy for this performer, but I would definitely buy another one. I couldn't find the CD in the UK, so had to buy it from the States, but what a hidden gem she is. A 10/10 AAAA +++++ score ! Top Banana........................................

5) Renee Olstead   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
This beautiful young lady is a great actor and to my suprise she sings like an angel. She has a fresh new style to singing Jazz. One of God's amazing creations. Thank you Renee Olstead for bringing joy into my life and the life of millions of your fans. Love you. Dale....