Review by Anthony Nguyen & Staff
Infectiously upbeat and overflowing with a whimsical charm, Michele D’Amour and the Love Dealers deliver a fantastic song in “Elf On a Shelf”. The band does not disappoint. They pair excellent musicianship with a playful enthusiasm that makes the song flow effortlessly. The horns are tight and sound like a unit that has played together for quite some time.
The bass and drums are in perfect synch with each other, and lay a fantastic foundation for the rest of the song to sit upon. The piano is never in the foreground, but really glues the song together harmonically. Interesting lines here and there add a nice spice and keeps things interesting. The vocal performance is especially standout. Michelle sings with a fantastically exuberant charisma that fits the theme song perfectly and makes the short piece a joy to listen to throughout.
The arranging is meticulous and extremely well done. Horn lines here and there along with thoughtful playing from the band ensure that there is never a dull moment. The song starts off with a horn intro and leads into the groovy first verse. The cheerful Christmas spirit is established immediately, which is extremely important. The first chorus is punchy and catchy with a mesmerizing performance from the vocalist. There is a guitar and horn solo towards the middle of the song that is fantastic. Both exhibit masterful playing from the players while still being able to convey the correct emotions. The solos allow the energy of the outro to be electric, and the song ends on a high note. Overall the sections flow into each other quite naturally, yet another nod to the fantastic arranging.
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For more information on Michele D'Amour and the Love Dealers, please visit their website.
About Michele D'Amour and The Love Dealers
Dubbed "the poetess of the blues," Michele D'Amour was steeped in music in the womb and has maintained her love of the blues genre throughout her life, bolstered by her father's extensive record collection. At the tender age of six, inspired by a now-forgotten incident, the precocious youngster penned her first song, "My Mom is So Mean." Growing up in rainy Seattle in such circumstances with two older sisters to boot, the blues gave Michele an outlet for transcending life's trials and helping others as well.
In 2011, the band Michele D'Amour and the Love Dealers formed when the stars aligned -- Michele's lifelong affinity for the blues, her experience writing and performing, and the emergence of the right founding band members. The band has since released six albums; Michele's songs have won several songwriting awards, including a John Lennon grand prize. The band has also received awards, such as Best Blues Band from LA Music Critic in January 2019.
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