Exact Change

I missed getting to see Victoria Vox perform at the 2009 Denver Ukulele Festival (although I believe I walked past her!), since I had to be back home across the state for a gig. So later on, I checked her out on iTunes to see what I had missed, and I've been a fan ever since. I was waiting for "Exact Change" to be released for a long time, and so I downloaded it the day it was released. It seems to me to be a bit darker and moodier than her earlier albums, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Her vocals and ukulele playing are stellar (as always), and the other instruments and production are great as well. I've been listening to this a lot since I purchased it, and hope to get a chance to see her perform live someday.

Crazy title for a review, I know, but really, she makes a sound that is identical to a trumpet from her mouth! I just saw her live at a Grass Roots Music Festival in Sturgeon Bay, WI. The resounding comment of those who listened to her performance was "She made that sound out of her mouth!" She has an amazing voice and plays the ukelele and accordian beautifully.

The changes that VIctoria started 2 releases ago are now much further along - she is less and less a pop artist and more and more a highly skilled music hall/cabaret singer with a strong ability on ukelele. I was enchanted with 'Chameleon' because it showed both of her sides (pop and cabaret), and, in a tune like 'Jessica', strongly demonstrated what was possible by blending both approaches. Sadly for me (and perhaps only me), that approach is less apparent on the new release. The pop tunes seem a shade paler compared to the cabaret tunes. But she has mastered her adopted genre. The production is so transparent, one might think she is sitting in your living room. Additionally, she is clearly in great voice and this is the best recording I have heard of her vocal skills and talents. "French Cafe" is a haunting tune that I will never forget, sung with the pathos of the great French singers (I believe she is fluent in French). Perhaps I will grow more to appreciate what she has accomplished with this release, and, if I do, i will return to give 'Exact Change' the additional star.