MARILYN KLEINBERG

LET YOUR HEART LEAD THE WAY

Waking Up Music

Marilyn Kleinberg, vocals; Will Galison, chromatic harmonica/producer; John DiMartino, piano/ arranger; Noriko Ueda, bass; Victor Lewis, drums.

The production around the voice of Marilyn Kleinberg is a sweet surprise with the addition of Will Galison’s harmonica. The opening tune is “Invitation,” and Kleinberg sells the song in her own unique way, with emotional connection and Galison’s lovely harmonica accompaniment. John DiMartino adds his improvised solo on piano, followed by Noriko Ueda on double bass.  Beneath the production, the drums of the legendary Victor Lewis support and inspire.

Marilyn Kleinberg has long been a steady fixture in New York City Clubs. Shortly after the pandemic shut down, once music was up and running again, Will Galison sauntered into a local club to hear his friend’s emotional delivery.  He knew at that very moment that he wanted to produce an album with Marilyn Kleinberg. That’s how this wonderful production came together.

Kleinberg and Galison offer us two hands-full of familiar standard tunes, with pianist Martino securing the arrangements on gems like the Ellington/Russell tune “I Didn’t Know About You” and Bacharach & David’s “Alfie.”  Kleinberg and her ensemble shine!

They share the often-unheard verse of the popular tune from the Wizard of Oz, “If I Only Had a Brain.”  She also puts a fresh face on Stevie Wonder’s beloved tune, “Visions.”   Will Galison is a master of the harmonica, being a mentee of two great harmonica players: Toots Thielemans and Stevie Wonder. Will is tasty and finds beautiful, perfect places to add harmonica color and enhancement to the songs that Kleinberg sings. Galison has previously worked with other great singers like Carly Simon, Sting, Barbra Streisand, Peggy Lee, Chaka Khan and Astrud Gilberto. Kleinberg’s voice blends with Galison’s harmonica sweet as honey and hot tea.

Here is a singer who brings a lifetime of musical experiences to both the bandstand and the recording studio. She is intimate and open, laying her honest expression over us like a warm blanket. The vocalist makes each lyric she sings believable and embraceable. I understand the title of her album when she tells us to “Let Your Heart Lead the Way.”  I believe Marilyn Kleinberg does that each time she steps in front of a microphone. The release date for this delightful recording is May 1, 2025.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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