Review and More

Our Review

When Monique Danielle's Website proclaims that her voice has "universal appeal," the site is 100% correct and also describes her terrific holiday release, Christmas with Monique Danielle! Danielle's emotive, silken vocals are strong across a broad range of styles. Made possible by Animated Lighting (www.animatedlighting.com), this album of 15 (largely) contemporary classics was created for use with animated holiday displays. As a result, its designs are bright and crisp, permitting easy coordination with lighting technologies. Everything about this album screams accessibility--from the friendly song selection (best-loved modern carols) and predictable tempos to the upbeat, lightly swingin' arrangements and Danielle's easy-on-the-ears vocals.

The overall mood is lovely pop with some jazzy flavors and an electro-synth edge. Although Danielle does everything well, she especially shines on the lyrical "Caroling, Caroling" (hitting those high ding-dongs with aplomb), the sassy "Jingle Bells" (providing her own harmonies), and Amy Grant's (with Chris Eaton) killer classic "Breath of Heaven" (Danielle's lower range is super-rich and expressive here). Of course, since a cappella music is a special favorite, Danielle's final cut, "Carol of the Bells Vocal," easily makes my "greatest hits" list for this CD.

You don't have to have an animated lighting display in your yard this holiday season to enjoy the universal appeal of Christmas with Monique Danielle. Her highly satisfying album with brighten your December nights without seriously affecting your electric bill.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

More

From the liner notes:

Monique Danielle
& Mark Thies, Producer

Rita Thies: Soprano Saxophone on "Breath of Heaven"
John Thies: Acoustic Guitar on "My Favorite Things"
Richard Held: Piano on "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "Breath of Heaven"
Tilney Erhardt: Piano on "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"
Alonzo Conway: Saxophones on "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, "Jingle Bells"
Rev. Dwight Frizzell: Clarinet on "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"

Happy Holidays
Another year has come and gone. So many exciting changes have gone on in our lives, and we hope in yours as well. Markosa Studios' new facility is complete, featuring state-of-the-art acoustics and the latest in hi-res digital recording equipment. Our creative lives have been full, and it is with great joy that we bring to you this collection of traditional Christmas songs. The creative people at Animated Lighting have made the recording of these songs possible. All of the songs were arranged with dancing lights in mind. Animated Lighting has pioneered exciting technology to bring very sophisticated and previously very expensive illumination technology to everyone. Their amazing new products are available online [www.animatedlighting.com] and feature the music contained in this CD.

The Kansas City premier of Animated Lighting was at Barney Allis Plaza for Christmas 2003. Many of you have no doubt seen their eye popping display on the Kansas City Marriott Hotel.

It's a true honor to be involved in something so magical and new, and we thank [Animated Lighting] for involving us in this groundbreaking venture.

From the Web site:

Universal appeal - that is the cornerstone of Monique Danielle's wide ranging vocal career. Through a broad repertoire of musical styles, she has reached both young and old of all races, with her exuberant stage presence and impeccable vocal skills. She captivates audiences with her dynamic delivery of sultry R&B. Equally at ease with Italian opera, classical, African pop, American pop or Jamaican reggae, Monique truly defines and demonstrates diversity. A native of Kansas City, Monique has a natural passion for music. She began singing at the age of three, and taught herself the words to "The Rainbow Connection". By the age of four, she had moved on to singing harmonies to all of her favorite songs. In 1987, she entered Kansas City Middle School of the Arts (KCMSA), where she began to study voice. By the seventh grade she was singing in four choirs. From eighth grade to senior year, she would take her talents to four All District and All State Music Competitions. She received the highest rating of #1 all four years. Monique became the All State soloist in 1992. Monique got her first taste of show business when she sang the National Anthem before a crowd of 80,000 fans at the Kansas City Chiefs Stadium in 1990. She then moved on to performing in the K.C. Arrowhead Club for the Chiefs. While still attending school she managed to sing and dance in fifteen different shows. When Monique turned sixteen, she was featured nationally on the "Gary Collins Home Show" as an up-and-coming R&B vocalist. That same year she joined her first band outside of school, The Messengers. This reggae band showed Monique what being on the stage was all about. They have been billed with such greats as Toots & the Maytals, Steel Pulse, The Wailers, The Bonedaddy's, Jimmy Riley, Loketo, The Itals, and Angelique Kidjo to name a few. In addition, Monique has performed with Vinx, The Meditations, Junior Reid, and as a featured soloist with the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra. She would later sing with Afrique, performing afro-pop dance music. Recently, Monique has lent her voice to NBC, The Jones Store Co., and Energy One for national promotional television campaigns, as well as numerous local radio advertisements. With the recent completion of her debut album, "Resolution" featuring an eclectic mix of musical styles ranging from rhythm and blues and hip hop to reggae dancehall and even contemporary jazz, Monique is poised to explode on to the R&B scene. "This music can take you from a pounding dance club scene to a smokey piano bar". When Monique Danielle pours her heart and soul out in song, people listen. "I know I was placed on this earth to sing, and when I do it's from my heart". Anyone who has heard her honest, pure, passionate delivery would agree. Remember her name - you won't ever forget her voice.

Monique Danielle

Christmas with Monique Danielle

Order from Amazon

Track List