You're My Thrill 2014

Press Quotes/Reviews

“The CD features tunes written by some of the giants of popular music, including Irving Berlin, Stanley Turrentine, Richard Rodgers, Joni Mitchell, and Richard Thompson. The album pairs Dame’s masterful vocals with the skillful playing of some of Chicago’s top jazz musicians.”

– Convozine

“Her new album You’re My Thrill is exactly what you’d expect from a consummate pro here in Chicago. The sidemen are a who’s who of top-notch players in town and the arrangements are refreshingly well thought out. There’s a lot to like here, from a rather grooving take on “You’re My Thrill” to a really nice run through of “I Was Doing All Right.” – Paul Abella, WDCB Jazz Radio

“Combining the best elements of jazz and pop, Elaine Dame’s new CD You’re My Thrill is a real winner. Musically, You’re My Thrill  benefits from having some of Chicago’s top players on piano, drums, guitar, and horns but at the center is Elaine Dame’s gorgeous voice.” – Radio One

“Dame’s interpretive gifts-which are through the roof-do what jazz is meant to do: turn these well-worn tunes into a revelatory and often very witty set of commentaries on each other. This song list is constructed like a roller-coaster ride over the radiant heights and the devastating depths of the modern landscape of modern romance. Her voice is capable of doing whatever she asks of it-from an extended staccato run to a single word teased by a beguiling melisma – but it’s the choices behind these technical feats that are the real story. Everything is in the service of the narrative; the beauty of her instrument is guided by the shrewdness of her instincts and her instincts are infallible.”

– Robert Rodi, New City

“Elaine Dame had a strong voice with a cool style that defines her signature. She’s not gimmicky smooth. Dame has great phrasing and character. She runs counter to but in sync with the band resulting in a swinging groove that works over many tempos”

– O's Place Jazz Newsletter

“Dame’s silky voice captivates us right from the very beginning. The great thing about Elaine and her latest release is how it really sticks to the roots of jazz; her voice shines through as we get to hear every note clearly. As we listen, we are reminded of the jazz great, Ella Fitzgerald, as Dame sings with a passion and a dynamic presence that comes through the speakers beautifully, as if she were singing right in front of us. After listening to You’re My Thrill, it is no wonder why the Windy City holds Elaine Dame in such high regard, as her latest record is full of charm and appeal that every jazz fan will warm to.” – Listen Here Reviews

“Elaine possesses an exacting, exhilarating command of melodic lines and emotional currents. It helps that she has pinpoint intonation: in performance, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard her miss her mark, even on difficult leaps or drops in a melody line. But she handles those intervals with a dancer’s grace and a nuanced attack, which allow the line to unfold seamlessly. She floats through a melody without any apparent effort; to appreciate her musicianship, listen to most other singers handle the same material (you can practically hear them sweat). And Dame’s phrasing manages to wed an improviser’s expressiveness with a welcome fidelity to the words and their meaning. I think if a saxophone could speak, it might sound like this.” – Neil Tesser, Grammy Award-winning jazz journalist and author, Playboy Guide to Jazz

“Elaine’s command of her voice is really something to witness. It’s not that she’s just a good singer, she can take words and sounds, and articulate them giving them the appearance of action. It’s like she’s dancing with her lyrics.” – Chicago Now