****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Tina Schlieske: The Good Life

The only thing that is inaccurate about the cover photo of vocalist Tina Schilieske on this album is that you can’t see the heart on her sleeve. Like Billie Holiday, or today’s Karrin Allyson, Schilieske doesn’t use range and chops to get her point across, instead, the 2 pack a day sounding singer is filled with expression and viscera. Backed by Bryan Nichols/p, Cody McKinney/b, Pete Hening/dr,  Jake Baldwon/tp, Brandon Wozniak/ts and guest Kevin Gaswtonguay/org, Shlieske runs the gamut of feelings, from the fun teaming with Nichils’ stride on “My Baby Just Cares For Me” to a blues “You Go To My Head” with the pianist tapping into his inner Red Garland. She rasps through and emphysemic “Witchcraft” with the appropriately smoky Gastonguay and Woznik” and uses space like a dada-esque painter on “Do Nothing Till  You Hear From Me”. Pagliacci in drag!

www.shiftingparadigmrecords.com

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