Press
Critic Christopher Loudon writes:
“She is an utter original.”
Blessed with superlative power, control and range Engelken can, as mood requires, be as soft as dew or as intense as a sleet storm; her interpretive instincts are astounding. She takes a cross-section of well-known compositions and digs soul-deep to reveal the unfamiliar in the familiar.”
JazzTimes, September 2010 issue FULL REVIEW
New Review by Douglas Boynton on girlsingers.org:
Lisa Engelken – Caravan (Little Angel)
“This is an eclectic ten-pack of tunes from Lisa Engelken, a Kansas-bred, California-based singer who clearly isn’t afraid to test the outer limits of the genre. It’s a brilliant showcase not only for her gifts of substantial range and lyrical ability – but also her ability to see a project like this through from beginning to end – as producer. This recording is highly recommended.”
Darius Rips writes on Oliver di Place:
“Lisa Engelken is another of those fine jazz singers I keep getting lucky to find. And there is no question that she stays well within that musical category. But she still shows a wonderful musical imagination. Her voice is a smooth purr, but she can express a full range of emotions with it. On the album, she also shows a gift for scat singing. Engelken may be clearly a jazz singer, but she is still not afraid to take chances, and she makes them pay off.”
Two-Part Interview with Brian McCoy in the examiner.com
It’s very rare to have the opportunity to converse with a journalist about one’s craft and creative process. And even more rare that, that conversation be given space in a newspaper. Lisa got this unique opportunity, thanks to Brian McCoy. We hope you enjoy this 2-part interview.
Part I: Interview with Brian McCoy
Part II: Interview with Brian McCoy
Riffs on Jazz by John Anderson
Friday, April 9, 2010
Lisa Engelken is trying to seduce you, and with her latest CD, there’s no doubt she’ll succeed. Caravan takes us on a journey through the sometimes bumpy territory of love…The mix of updated standards, covers of Joni Mitchell and Billy Idol tunes, and a little funk give Engelken a chance to display her athletic vocal technique, from kittenish tease to speedy scatting to full-throated belting. And the often complex arrangements are ably handled by the talented group of musicians working with her. Special kudos go to Adam Shulman on piano and Jon Monahan on guitar. Lisa Engelken deserves to be heard more widely and Caravan will hopefully introduce this talented singer to a wider audience.”
Read full REVIEW
Ken Franckling’s Jazz Notes
April 6, 2010Lisa Engelken, Caravan (Little Angel)
Lisa Engelken may not have a household name when it comes to jazz singers, but this CD proves that she is most deserving of that stature. The Kansas-born, California-based singer’s sophomore CD is a gem. Key ingredients: an intriguing voice, a great mix of material avoiding the “tired tune” syndrome that dogs so many aspiring singers, and the ability to find material that she can imbue with her own strong jazz touch and feel. My favorites: her takes on “Caravan,” “Afro Blue,” and “Detour Ahead,” as well as a bluesy remake of Billy Idol’s “White Wedding.” Then there’s “From The Earth,” a rendition of Freddie Hubbard’s “Red Clay” that features her own intriguing lyrics. This is a winner, pure and simple.
Savor it all.
Scott Yanow’s review in L. A. Jazz Scene (April 2010) reads:
“…it is obvious that [Lisa] is already a major jazz singer. To her credit, she does not sound like any of her predecessors even though she has obviously learned from those who came before her. Fans of jazz singing who enjoy unpredictable versions of standards will want Caravan.” Read FULL REVIEW
JazzTimes.com
3/25/10 by Jeff GlassShe’s Really Saying Something:
Engelken takes us on a voyage to the frontiers of vocal jazzAfter having proven herself on old and new tunes, the overdone and the overlooked, jazz standards and the Great American song book, and all manner of rhythms, Engelken intrepidly opens new territories for jazz, tackling the 80’s classic “White Wedding” without a trace of irony. Somehow, she captures the menace of Billy Idol’s trademark sinister growl–certainly her vocal agility and the tightness of the band are key, but this far into the voyage, we have placed a great deal of trust in our guide…we’re not in Kansas anymore. So we come to the loftiest goal of the vocalist: to make the listener believe something they didn’t before, to create a new reality. Mastery of technique creates authority, and in art, that power comes with an expectation that it be used to invent something, to say something new.
READ FULL REVIEW
“Thee best female vocalist I’ve heard this year…maybe for last year, too.”
–Russ Haines-WWSP-Stevens Point, WI
Lisa Engelken’s “Caravan”
by E. “Doc” Smith in BeyondChron.org
“There have been some fabulous jazz musicians to come from DC over the last decade or so; pianist Geri Allen, bassist Ed Howard, guitarist Paul Bollenback, saxophonist Ron Holloway, to name just a few. They have become some of the most respected and sought after names in jazz. Add singer, composer and producer Lisa Engelken to that pantheon of great artists. “Caravan” will stand the test of time and is a harbinger of more great music to come.”
Read full REVIEW.
Radio: Wednesday, July 28, 2010, Lisa ducked into KUVO FM studios in Denver, CO, to speak with Arturo Gomez during his afternoon show.
Radio: Thursday, July 22, 2010, KGNU FM in Boulder, CO. Lisa spoke with Host Jerry Maddock about her upcoming show in Denver at Dazzle Jazz.
Radio: Sunday, June 20, 2010, Lisa had the pleasure to chat with radio host Brad Stone on KSJS, San Jose, CA about her upcoming dates in the San Jose/Morgan Hill area.
Radio: Friday, June 11, 2010- Lisa visited with Avotcja, an amazing poet, musician and radio host on KPOO FM, San Francisco, CA about her musical journey.
Radio: Thursday, May 28, 2010, Lisa spoke with Scott Vander Werf, radio host at WGVU in Grand Rapids, MI. The Mid-Day radio host played tracks from Lisa’s new CD “Caravan” and asked Lisa about the making of “Caravan”, about touring and the great musicians she’s been working with!
Radio: Wednesday morning, May 5, 2010, Lisa had the rare honor to meet and speak with the amazing artist and radio host AVOTCJA on her show “Music of the World” in KPFA studios (94.1 fm, Berkeley) about tomorrow night: Friday, May 7th CD Release Celebration and Concert.
Radio: Sunday morning, May 2nd, 2010, Lisa was a guest on KSJS ( 90.5 fm, San Jose) talking to Mike Schwartz live on his Sunday Jazz Show “Straight No Chaser” about Caravan and her sold-out CD Concert Celebration held Friday, May 7, 20107, the Jazzschool in Berkeley.
Radio: Thursday, April 1st, 2010, Lisa appeared LIVE on Community Bridge, the progressive alternative to talk radio on KSDB 91.9 FM, Manhattan, Kansas. Yes, there IS progressive radio in Kansas, and it’s hosted by Chris Renner! Michael Moore opened the segment with a brilliant discussion regarding the state of the nation. You can hear Community Bridge on Thursdays, 5:00 – 6:00 pm. Visit the KSDB website at: http://www.wildcat919.com.
Radio: On Saturday, March 20th, Lisa appeared on “First Look” radio show to talk with host Jim Sintetos about her exciting new jazz release “Caravan.” KRML broadcasts from beautiful Carmel, CA (94.7 FM).
KRML interview with Lisa on “First Look”
with host Jim Sintetos.
Saturday, March 20th, 2010, 9:00am
94.7 FM in carmel, ca.
[The station that brought you America's favorite stalker.]
Listen to INTERVIEW with Jim Sintetos.
Erin Gray, columnist for the Monterey Herald, described Engelken’s live performance as…
“BOLD, lush, exotic and just a little bit dangerous, like waves of sound and heat: EVEL KNEIVEL and JANIS JOPLIN. Like Evel, she is a fearless daredevil, but never reckless, knowing exactly whether her voice can jump through a ring of fire and over 30 elephants – or whether it can go for 31. And like Janis, she gives every ounce of herself onstage.”