A good jazz album can make familiar songs sound exciting all over again, and that is exactly what Liz Cracchiolo does on her debut album, “Just a Girl I’m a Woman”. Released through Pacific Coast Jazz, the nine-track collection blends jazz standards, pop favorites, and rock classics, giving Liz plenty of room to show her vocal personality. The album opens with “Just a Girl”, a playful introduction that gives us an early taste of Liz’s vocal range and free-spirited approach. Her exchanges with guitarist Hajime Yoshida add a lovely touch, with both musicians enjoying the space to play around with the arrangement. Things get even livelier on “These Boots Were Made for Walkin’”, featuring alto saxophonist Erica von Kleist. The familiar song gets a fresh treatment, with an energetic, attitude-filled performance.
One of the more interesting moments arrives with “Sweet Child O’ Mine”. Liz takes the famous rock song in a blues direction, showing another side of her voice. She follows this with “Fever”, where Russell Hall’s upright bass provides a wonderful foundation for her performance. Both tracks give the album a nice change of pace while keeping the listening experience engaging. “Mr. Brightside” is another unexpected choice, presented with a tango-inspired arrangement that gives the song a different character. Later, “I’m Beginning to See the Light” brings together Liz and Benny Benack III for a lovely collaboration, with Benack contributing both trumpet and vocals. The album continues with “Tainted Love”, which receives a swinging and soulful interpretation, before “Basin Street Blues” brings a lively performance featuring Benack and violinist Edward W. Hardy.
The closing track, “I’m a Woman”, is a fitting way to finish the record. Liz delivers a confident and assertive performance, bringing the album to a strong conclusion. Throughout the collection, she is joined by a talented group of musicians, including Savannah Harris on drums, Marcus Lolo on piano, Rhodes and organ, Jonathan Michel on upright bass, Erica von Kleist on saxophone and flute, and Hajime Yoshida on guitar. Their contributions give each song its own character and help bring the different arrangements to life. Personally, I really enjoyed the variety of songs Liz chose for this album. Hearing familiar pop and rock favorites given a jazz treatment makes for an entertaining listen, and her vocal performances kept me interested from the opening track to the final song. I also appreciate the confidence she brings to the record, especially as she moves between blues, swing, and more playful arrangements.
“Just a Girl I’m a Woman” is a very enjoyable debut from Liz Cracchiolo and a lovely introduction to her work as a jazz singer. If you enjoy jazz vocals and hearing familiar songs from a new perspective, this album is worth checking out. Follow Liz on social media and visit her website to keep up with her music and upcoming performances. Take some time to listen to the full album, find the songs that become your personal favorites, and add them to your playlists. From the playful opening to the bluesy take on “Sweet Child O’ Mine” to the confident closing track, there are plenty of moments worth coming back to. Liz has made a promising start with this debut, and I’ll certainly be interested to hear what she brings us next.
