Natalia Zukerman
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Jazzy alternative pop
Status:
Most recent release, The Women Who Rode Away (soundtrack, 2019)
See also:
Natalia Zukerman's website
Comparisons:
Rickie Lee Jones, Ani Difranco, Lisa Cerbone
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
She has a kind of Rickie Lee Jones voice with a slightly deep little girl-ish tone to it, if that makes sense. If it doesn't, that's still how I'd describe it. A kind of Lisa Cerbone-ish sound. Her songwriting is definitely above-average, and remind me a little of Lisa Cerbone again in their storytelling qualities. There's nice guitarwork throughout, which gives the tunes a lovely syncopated sound. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Recommended first album:
Either
Recordings:
- Mortal Child (2001)
- On A Clear Day (2003)
- Only One (2006)
- Brand New Frame (2008)
- Gas Station Roses (2011)
- Gypsies & Clowns: Natalia Zukerman and Friends Live at SPACE (live, 2012)
- Come Thief Come Fire (2014)
- The Women Who Rode Away (soundtrack, 2019)
Mortal Child
Release info:
2001—Talisman Records—TR002
Availability:
See website for availability
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Natalia Zukerman—guitar, vocals
Guest artists:
Ed Ivey—bass
Paulo Baldi—drums, percussion
Andrew Freeman—guitar
Erika Luckett—guitar, background vocals
Cookie Marenco—accordion
Eugenia Zukerman—flute
Produced by:
Natalia Zukerman and Cookie Marenco
Comments:
A strong collection of lovely songs, ranging from the syncopated to the jazzy. The lyrics are intriguing, and made me wish the vocals had been just a little higher in the mix sometimes so that I didn't always have to read the booklet to catch what she's singing. I suspect they might have been afraid to because of that baby-ish tone to her voice, but she uses it well, so it should be more audible. There are moments where she sounds very Rickie Lee Jones-like and others where she sounds Ani Difranco-like, but mostly her sound is her own amalgamation using elements of both those artist's styles. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
On A Clear Day
Release info:
2003—Talisman Records—TR0003
Availability:
See website for availability
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Natalia Zukerman—guitar, vocals
Guest artists:
Nadine Goellner—backing vocals, guitar
Noah Hoffeld—cello
Joason Kriveloff—acoustic bass, electric bass
Jason Mercer—banjo
Allison Miller—drums, percussion
Junior Pacheco—trumpet, flugelhorn
Kym Tuvim—backing vocals
Julie Wolf—accordion, wurlitzer
Eugenia Zukerman—flute
Produced by:
Natalia Zukerman and SF Norton
Comments:
Sweet, simple but not simplistic songs. I like the homespun feel of this album. She has a wonderful voice and a real skill as a guitarist, without being flashy and attention-seeking like others can be. I definitely see the Lisa Cerbone comparison, this is just as good and special as Cerbone usually is. I think a lot of people could like this if they got to hear it. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Thanks to Sophia Gurley and Anna Maria Stjärnell for work on this entry.
