Catherine Russell's Sentimental Streak - What The Critics Are Saying
“Extraordinarily charming singer, who delivers with the ease of Ella Fitzgerald.”
— Jeff Spevak, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
“A masterful singer who knows how to inject her own personality into the heart of a great song.”
— Nick Cristiano, Philadelphia Inquirer
“The singer’s gutsy blues croon - one of the best this side of Bessie Smith - could melt the ice in a bourbon on the rocks.”
— Tristram Lozaw, The Boston Globe
“Catherine Russell has a luscious voice...Her offhand flair makes her new album, “Sentimental Streak,” a delight.”
— The New Yorker
“Catherine Russell is a terrific singer.”
— Terry Gross, Fresh Air on NPR
“While the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Bessie Smith might have recorded the classic versions of the songs on this album, Russell has earned the right to sing them too. Russell inhabits these songs with such ease and imagination as to make comparisons to the originals pointless.”
— Bill Friskics-Warren, Washington Post
“A musical hero, regifting, if you will, precious Black music forms.”
— Essence Magazine
“The kind of deep, true blue that emanates from her rich, timeless voice is absolutely the real deal. “Sentimental Streak,” is a doozy – classy, lusty, pure and undeniably golden.”
— Barbara Mitchell, The Portland Tribune
“Sassy, smart and historically minded, this New York-based singer has the jazz world abuzz.”
— Ann Powers, LA Times
“Russell, daughter of longtime Louis Armstrong musical director Luis Russell, has the jazz pedigree and the sultry voice, but what ultimately sets this album apart is the song selection, which is surprising, earthy, and often funny...the end result is a fine, rootsy amalgam of jazz and R&B.”
— Andy Whitman, Pastemagazine.com
“Her repertoire draws from a rich American tapestry of small combo jazz, Tin Pan Alley tune-smithing, New Orleans swagger, and more. Russell’s supple voice has the confident wallop and sashay of Alberta Hunter.”
— David Greenberger, No Depression
“A very enjoyable album by a singer with great chops ”
— Jim White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“This album may well become a vocal jazz classic; and it could be the vehicle that propels Ms. Russell to national stardom.”
— Jim Shortt, The Scene
“Russell’s new CD is at once extremely musical and very accessible. It has the potential to be a crossover hit.”
— Zan Stewart, Newark Star-Ledger
“She’s terrific, whether singing an old song written by her father - jazz pioneer Luis Russell - or a new song of her own. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Four Stars”
— Mike Regenstreif, Montreal Gazette
“Ms. Russell is the real deal...her voice a study in seductiveness. The kicker: Catherine Russell’s one original, “Luci,” stands tall next to some of the very best American songwriters, and gives goosebumps the size of quarters. Yow.”
— Bill Bentley, Studio City Sun
“the mostly acoustic arrangements and her resonate lower range sound fresh on Sentimental Streak. Russell has delivered an album that’s easy to like and easy to recommend.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐ four stars”
— Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr., All Music Guide
“Her phrasing is impeccable and her delivery relaxed and effortless ... highly-recommended.”
— Karen Hogg, AllAboutJazz-New York
“Russell’s performances are delightful and exciting. This disc marks the emergence of a marvelous singer who should soon be a familiar name to those who love hearing topflight classics.”
— Ron Wynn, Nashville City Paper
“Classy, sophisticated fare..Russell has picked mostly underplayed gems and infuses them with a lively, spirited reading that frees them from their borrowed roots. Those with a taste towards classic female jazz vocalists will be thoroughly captivated by this disc.”
— Mark Smith, Music Revue
“Showcases Ms. Russell’s marvelous way with a song ... compelling.”
— Ron Weinstock, Jazz & Blues Report
“Sentimental Streak is a very impressive collection...with class, spunk and originality - setting her apart from other vocalists in the same genre.”
— Mindy Munizaga, thecelebritycafe.com
“This release is a simple treasure, not only is the music timeless and true, but even the packaging is precious - the liner notes include priceless stories of Catherine Russell’s life and photos (even with Louis Armstrong!)”
— David Malachowski, Kingston Daily Freeman
“An album of old-timey and traditional jazz and blues that is so breathtaking in its natural feeling that you wonder how she has stayed hidden from the mainstream public for so many years...Russell is absolutely the goods. Grade: A ”
— Jim Trageser, North County Times
“soulfully and excitedly knocks down barriers between jazz, rhythm and blues and pop...an early contender for Best of 2008 jazz lists.”