About the time you see performances on mediocrely rated sitcoms and dramas is usually about the time they should consider hanging it up. Whenever there’s a special musical performance or anything of that ilk, which means the shark has officially been jumped and it’s all downhill from here. This is why I got concerned when I saw Renee Olstead, Lauren on CBS’s Still Standing, being advertised as performing on their season finale. I tuned in, hoping for the best and expecting the worst, patiently watching. Long story short, I was blown away by both an a cappella character performance and a fantasy performance.

I had searched for months for this May 2004 release until relatively recently, a copy resting in the country section of my local Wal Mart. Giddy as ever, I scooped it and another record up, prying them open before I reached the friendly confines of my room. While this record didn’t sell all that well, its critical response has been amazing, so we may see her do another one relatively soon.

Tracklisting:
Summertime (*****)
Taking A Chance On Love (**** ½)
Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby (**** ½)
Someone To Watch Over Me featuring Chris Botti on trumpet (*****)
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do featuring Peter Cincotti (*****)
A Love That Will Last (*****)
Meet Me, Midnight (**** ½)
Sunday Kind of Love featuring Chris Botti on trumpet(*****)
On A Slow Boat To China featuring Carol Wessman (**** ½)
What A Difference A Day Makes (*****)
Midnight At The Oasis (**** ½)
Sentimental Journey (*****)

Made infamous most recently by Fantasia’s cover on a Fox talent show, Summertime jumps out at you almost immediately. The intro is a cappella, showcasing Olstead’s haunting vocal that fades into a mysterious, beautifully arranged jam that oozes pure confidence. Over blaring horns, steamy production and pounding drums, the obviously seasoned performer juts her hips, primps and preens for us and makes sure we know she’s around. Its old soul intelligence is masterful while the fact that she trumps Barrino’s version is sweet redemption. It’s called subtlety, boo. A more lighthearted affair, Taking A Chance On Love seems to be one of the more feel good listens on the record, Olstead cooing coyly over a swirling array of raspy horns, sterling piano and waltzing acoustics. Her control on the song is admirable while she unfolds the story slowly but steadily. Don’t sleep; she’s for real.

Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby is Miss Olstead’s vampy fantasy track, projecting that’s-my-man-so-back-away fierceness that’s enhanced by the tracks iciness. Its darkness and slightly edgy (gasp) arrangement makes it oddly suit her slightly altered performance, which includes some nice scatting. She may be young but you more readily believe the words coming out of her mouth than if they were coming from someone three times her age. Featuring the stud of this new age jazz kind of music, Chris Botti, Someone to Watch over Me makes its delicately timid intro eventually right itself, Olstead’s meekness turning into a doe-eyed innocence that warms your heart, her sincerity awe-inspiring. Alongside elegant strings, fluttery acoustics and a chilling trumpet solo from Botti, the track is absolutely flawless. Olstead’s Marilyn Monroe reminiscent performance makes you stop in your tracks, appreciating the atmosphere that’s created.

The Neil Sedaka penned Breaking Up Is Hard To Do finds Peter Cincotti on vocals, his voice easily impressing this casual fan with its timbre, tone and inflection. Cincotti and Olstead blend beautifully, each bringing out the confidence and true performer the other possesses. They manage to make a Neil Sedaka song sound cool, so they’re all good in my book; against the gin-soaked piano, sweeping strings and tender acoustics, you feel the pain, the angst, though its well-masked by the generous production. Featured on the soundtrack to the sequel of The Princess Diaries, A Love That Will Last finds Miss Olstead taking a universal topic and making it fit her age and disposition quite wonderfully. Her subdued grit and pained loneliness are done in perfect proportion while her wistfulness is matched by the enchanting music. Whether it be the head nodding bass, bouncy acoustics or tearful piano, it delivers nicely.

Meet Me, Midnight is the equivalent of Renee taking her hair down and slipping into something more comfortable, its sensuality alluring and never off-putting. There’s some slight humor thrown in there, making its carnal nature less uncomfortable. Its passion is easily felt, through the frenzied piano, ramming horns and delicious production. Performed by Christina Aguilera on Star Search when she was eight, Sunday Kind of Love features the enigma that is Chris Botti…on trumpet…for a brief moment. Nevertheless, this continues the string of gorgeous tracks, mainly string and piano oriented, ensuring a focus on her outstanding performance and a real continuity to the record. The muted horns, projected piano and cohesive production all make the song a generously genuine throwback, a theme of the record.

Featuring Carol Wessman, On A Slow Boat To China is one of the least memorable tracks present, nothing too distinguishing about it. However, its still a spellbinding listen, Olstead’s with-a-wink performance enjoyably youthful and the track itself spinning a web of easy listening coolness that sticks to the ribs. What A Difference A Day Makes makes Olstead go all coquette on us, batting her eyelashes and working her feminine charm on you unsuspectingly. It’s rippling piano riff, rapturous horns and steady drums fuse together to create this dynamically gallant pick-up line.

Midnight At The Oasis would be what somewhat poppy jazz music sounds like, her flirtatious nature spilling over from the last track. The twangy guitars and crystalline piano make the track sophisticated while the jumbly production and semi-catchiness will appeal to those of us with musical ADD. The finale Sentimental Journey isn’t the grandiose, self-serving ending that most go with. Everything on the track is a bit subdued, especially with the inclusion of the soulful clarinet. Yeah, you read right. Its powerfully vocal oriented, Olstead getting to wail a little bit, her vibrato lacking what her power gives her.

You take an amazingly striking then-fifteen year old girl (yeah, I don’t discriminate, yet), add in some horns, cover songs and old soul vocal style and what do you get? Renee Olstead. While her age suggests someone who should be baring her navel and lip synching, Olstead proves her vocal and performance worth, making you forget about her lack of years, chronologically; except, of course, for the inevitable “wow, she’s young” sentiments surely to be expressed. She may not be in the most desirable genre but she does it well. Pay attention, folks, it’ll be a long ride.

Great Music To Play While: wondering if you can get Renee’s number to meet her at midnight by the oasis

Pay Attention To: Summertime, A Love That Will Last, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Last Three Reviews:
Cyndi Thomson- My World
Sugarland- Twice The Speed of Life
Rachel Proctor- Where I Belong


Recommended: Yes