Straight.com: Melissa Hill

[Bud]

Source: http://www.straight.com/content.cfm?id=11896

Melissa Hill

By john lucas

Publish Date: 28-Jul-2005

Across and Back (Independent)

Even at this early stage of her career, Melissa Hill must be growing weary of comparisons to Diana Krall. Both performers hail from Nanaimo and both sing and play the piano within the jazz idiom. Nonetheless, it’s hardly fair to compare an up-and-comer with an established international star, so let’s judge Hill on her own merits.

Backed by a solid band, Hill performs originals in a variety of styles, from 3-in-the-morning ballads (“I’m Bidin’ My Time”) to mellow soul (“Wealth”). The UBC-trained musician has a fluid piano-playing style that’s often more interesting than her vocal delivery, which, although it is consistently smooth and lovely, tends to be too laid-back to be truly engaging. When Hill does attempt to put an edge on things, as with the angsty “Player in the Game”, the result rings false.

Still, there’s enough talent on display here to ensure that Hill will have a future that doesn’t involve plunking out “It Had to Be You” night after night for oblivious lounge patrons.