Thursday, October 27, 2016

Helen Welch's Newest Album "Spellbound" Takes On An Exclusive Twist Of Soulful Pop And Dusty Jazz

Critically-acclaimed vocalist Helen Welch is known for her live stage performances which explore a diverse range of musical compositions, starting with the 1930s up through present-day. Whether she's singing Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Sarah Vaughan, or Elton John, Sting and Randy Newman, Helen's sophisticated vocals and humor leave audiences breezily enchanted. On her new studio album Spellbound, she presents an inspired collection of music including fresh arrangements of songs by Lennon and McCartney, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Michel LeGrand, Dolly Parton, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and Chick Corea. Featuring soulful-pop fused with some jazz elements, "this CD needs to be heard!" quoted on CD Baby. El Cerrito Records agrees that "this is a great compilation of songs that are beautifully arranged and produced."

Welch's mix of warm alto tones and gentle soul vibrations combine well on reworking's of Lennon and McCartney's "For No One," and Dolly Parton's "Jolene," each beautifully arranged in a way that transports the listener back in time. Helen Welch (vocals, producer) is joined by a range of other talented musicians that she collaborated with on this album, including Joe Leaman (piano, keyboards), Bryan Thomas (bass guitar), Anthony Taddeo (drums, percussion), and Joe Parker (guitar).

A native of England, Welch is well-known throughout the United Kingdom for her musical theatre roles and unique performances. She has landed starring roles in popular Broadway musicals including Hello Dolly!, Barnum, 42nd Street, Oliver Twist, Calamity Jane, Show Boat, and Carousel; she debuted in the traditional English Christmas show, Robin Hood, as 'Maid Marion,' starring renowned English actor and a former "Dr. Who," Colin Baker, who played Welch's wicked uncle. On a whim, Welch tried out for a singing competition and beat out 800 opponents to land a role in the smash-hit Lieber and Stoller musical Smokey Joe's Café on Broadway. Her experience, from a brief rehearsal in London to jetting off to New York to join the Broadway production, was captured on film by a camera crew and made into a television documentary for the BCC.

From performing in intimate spaces for small groups to outdoor amphitheatres in front of thousands, Welch has not only impressed audiences with her raw talent but appeared in some of the world's most celebrated venues, from solo shows at Cleveland's Playhouse Square Center and Blossom Music Center to London's The Savoy, The Ritz and The Grosvenor House Great Room as vocalist for some of the UK's finest big bands including Opus One, Glen Miller Europe and the BBC Big Band. She can also be spotted guest-starring or headlining with world-class musical organizations such as The Cleveland Orchestra, The Columbus Jazz Orchestra, The Cleveland Pops Orchestra and The Florida Symphony and also became a regular in London's major recording studios. Her voice can be heard in many commercial jingles, films and television productions, and also the background on recordings of well-known international artists.

In addition to being a consummate stage performer, Welch is also president of Big Wow Productions. The company has developed a diverse selection of shows from the hugely popular 'First Ladies of Song' celebrating the music of the world's best female vocalists to 'Beatles a Little Brit Different' in which Helen has taken many great Beatles songs and made them her own. She performs with her quartet through a 16 piece big band and full symphony orchestra.

Welch's unique talents for choosing songs that stand the test of time and making them her own, coupled with her ability to intimately engage her audience, has quickly earned her a large and devoted following. The "Helen Welch experience" is perhaps best described by a fan who wrote on her Amazon page, "If you have a chance to see Helen perform, do it! You are in for a special treat."

Track Listing for Spellbound:
1.     Spellbound
2.     For No One
3.     Jolene
4.     No More Blues
5.     The Windmills of Your Mind
6.     When It Mattered Most
7.     I Put a Spell on You
8.     And So It Goes
9.     Spain
10.   Both Sides Now



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