Downbeat Magazine Best of 2014
The Golden State of Jazz: Top California Jazz Releases of 2014 – Andy Gilbert, KQED:
Several of Joni Mitchell’s songs are firmly established in the jazz repertoire, but no singer before Bay Area veteran Laurie Antonioli has wrought as fine a balance between the original sources and her own vivid emotional and improvisational palette. It’s a journey that wouldn’t be possible without her supple American Dreams Band, with saxophonist Sheldon Brown, pianist Matt Clark, guitarist Dave MacNab, bassist John Shifflett, and drummer Jason Lewis.
C. Michael Bailey’s Top Vocal Albums of 2014
Marc Myers – Jazz Wax – Top Picks:
Singer Laurie Antonioli avoids the mistake of trying to duplicate Joni’s originals and instead gives the material a big jazz twist. …(she) delivers a fascinating Both Sides Now that turns the original inside out. All of the tracks here convert Joni’s work into jazz standards. A coiled, innovative approach from a sensitive singer.
