ELENA GILLIAM

SHALL WE DANCE

Meta Jax

Elena Gilliam, vocals; Rob Whitlock, & Michael LeVan, piano; George Gilliam, guitar; Miles Jensen, Nylon string guitar; Lyman Medeiros, bass; Alex Bailey, drums; Ginger Murphy, cello; Sarpay Ozcagatay, flute; Tony Guerrero, fluegelhorn/trumpet/arranger; Arturo Sandoval, trumpet; BUDAPEST SCORING ORCHESTRA: Zoltan Pad, conductor; Balint Sapszon, Orchestra manager.

Elena Gilliam has a honey-coated tone when she delivers a song. I hear shades of Sarah Vaughan when Elena sings “Send in the Clowns.”  This resemblance happens when she reaches into her rich, alto range. However, Gilliam’s style is quite distinct and absolutely all her own.  On this song, she is ably accompanied by Michael LeVan on piano. First her voice shines in contrast to a beautiful, bowed bass line by Lyman Medeiros. The richness of the Budapest Scoring Orchestra is such a lovely platform to royally cushion Elena’s sincere vocal delivery.  Her repertoire is perfect for an orchestra to embellish.

Gilliam opens with the Rodgers and Hammerstein composition, and the album title, “Shall We Dance.”  Here she shows she can swing with the best of them.  The orchestra introduces this tune with lush strings that set the mood, until the piano and bass poke through the introduction, to set the tempo and the groove.  It’s a slow swing, but perfectly geared for Elena Gilliam’s interpretation, with Rob Whitlock’s fingers dancing easily across the piano keys during his memorable solo. The Brazilian song “Agua de Beber” cha cha’s across my listening room and is another wonderful Antonio Carlos Jobim tune from her repertoire. Sarpay Ozcagatay takes a bright, boisterous solo on flute.

One of my favorite songs is “What Are You Doing the Rest of your Life?”  Gilliam does the song justice, scooping the melody into her heart and blowing it out to us like kisses.  I enjoy Mike Jensen’s nylon string guitar on this arrangement, with Arturo Sandoval’s trumpet solo offering the listener’s ears a warm hug. I enjoy the blend of Elena’s voice with a trumpet.  They are two instruments in perfect harmony.  Tony Guerrero’s flugelhorn soaks up the spotlight on “Oblivion,” while Gilliam applies vocal drama to this beautiful melody and sells the song. The familiar “Come Rain or Come Shine” is sung tenderly and with great emotion.  George Gilliam takes a noteworthy guitar solo during this ballad arrangement.

This is by far, the best album release of Elena Gilliam’s career.  It’s absolutely beautiful.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter