Some Kind of Wonderful
With a style that at times evokes Bonnie Raitt, Diane Schuur or Diana Krall, Parisian chanteuse Ilona Knopfler takes on some of the most popular tunes of the 60's and 70's on Some Kind of Wonderful, her debut for Mack Avenue Records.The CD opens with a swinging, sassy version of "Some Kind of Wonderful," which features a standout solo by guitarist Pat Kelley, best known for his work with George Benson.  Knopfler's seductive phrasing adds an atmosphere of intimacy to the Zombies' chart topper "Time Of The Season," while on Neil Sedaka's "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," her passionate vocals are balanced by label-mate Eugene Maslov's romantic piano  "This song resonated for me musically and emotionally," says Knopfler.  "I can remember my mom singing it when she performed, and of course, everyone can relate to the pain of ending a relationship."Knopfler's interpretation of "One," which was a Top Five hit for Three Dog Night in 1969, accurately echoes its composer Harry Nilsson's emotional paean to loneliness.  Knopfler's rendition of "Something," George Harrison's first hit for the Beatles, remains true to the wonderfully melodic original.  In interpreting Van Morrison's classic "Moon Dance," on which Kelley's and Maslov's sparkling solos play off her captivating vocals, Knopfler joins the ranks of some of the greatest interpretive vocalists of all time, including Michael Feinstein and Bobby McFerrin.An equal influence on the elegant pop sounds of those two decades was Burt Bachrach, on whose classic theme for the film of the same name, "Alfie," Maslov's keyboards set a wistful tone that is echoed by Bill Armstrong's trumpet and sustained by Grammy winner Jimmie Haskell's string arrangement.  Knopfler and band bring a Latin-tinged sensibility to "Unchain My Heart," first recorded by Ray Charles but which gained greater popularity as a result of Joe Cocker's rendition in the mid-80s. The singer and her pianist offer a strong performance on "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," which was also covered by Cocker as well as by Eric Burdon and the Animals.  Knopfler gives a subtle yet powerful delivery to the CD's second Rod Argent tune, "(S)he's Not There," which launched the Zombies' to the top of the  Billboard charts in 1964.  Nick Drake's bittersweet "River Man" is treated with a quiet sense of respect, and the subtle interchange between Knopfler and her musical cohorts pays tribute to the Association's hook-driven hit, "Never My Love." The CD concludes with a tight rendition of the Marshall Tucker Band's "Can't You See."Born in Paris, Ilona Knopfler was raised in a musical environment - her mother was a singer and her father her accompanying pianist.  Her parents' gigs took them and their young daughter all over the world, eventually bringing them to Hong Kong, where, a six- year-old Ilona first took the stage.  By the time she was fifteen, she was singing professionally as a back up singer for a rock band in Hong Kong.  At that same time, she discovered the music of Diane Schuur and Al Jarreau. "I loved their freedom of expression and the fact that they were not afraid to use their voices however they wanted " Knopfler says.  "I knew then that I wanted to express myself that same way."  Her affinity for jazz led her to perform with small groups and big bands at the famous Jazz Club in Hong Kong, quickly becoming a house favorite. When she turned 18, Knopfler set off for New York City, where she lived for five years, studying at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.  "I think my life experiences, having been fortunate to live such an international lifestyle, has had a definite impact on my ability to embrace a variety of musical styles," says Knopfler.Today, she lives with her three year old daughter Aiyana at homes in Paris, France and Atlanta, Georgia.