"New Girl might seem like an odd title for a new album by a veteran singer whose elegantly expressive alto has provided a graceful sophistication to the Nashville club scene for so many years, but Sayre sounds like she's shed a previous skin and emerged anew. For one thing, she's writing all of her own material for the first time. For another, she's embraced a more contemporary sound that fuses jazz phrasing with a relaxed classic-pop melodicism. Her voice remains a suble and sublime treasure, displaying a musicality that trumps the ever-present predictability of most modern singers."
Michael McCall - Nashville Scene (Nov 5, 2008)
“Sayre’s phrasing is utmost perfection, interpreting those great standards written in the first part of the 20th century. She has that fresh mid-western sound of clear channel radio of the early fifties. She sings with a Bobby Short compatibility [and] her style is so reminiscent of that brief era, Mid-Western hipness! …a soothing voice and the makings of a chanteuse."
Dick Crockett - 88.7 The Voice, Sacramento
“A beautiful release that is wonderfully produced.”
Eric Cohen - WAER Syracuse (Jazz Station of the Year)
“I would recommend [this album] without hesitation. There are many albums about by much better known singers that do not have the quality of this one. The singer and musicians are first rate.”
~Roy Booth - Jazz Views, UK
“Sayre is compelling and credible doing both ballads and rapid-fire material. She can swing, belt out a tune or lay back. Sometimes she’s sultry, on other occasions she’s demure, but most notably she ensures through her delivery that listeners fully hear and understand each tune’s lyrics, messages and underlying themes. Sayre accomplishes these things without excess volume, wasted mannerisms or exaggerated nuances. In short, she’s a complete vocalist, and it’s a pleasure to hear her renditions…
While Sayre consistently sparkles, her backing musicians are just as outstanding.”
~ Ron Wynn - Tennessee Jazz & Blues Society
“As a singer with BadaBing BadaBoom, Sayre could snap with sass or slink with elegance. Now on her own, she delves deeper into the tasteful side of cabaret jazz, showing off her sparkling fluid touch with a warm tone and a straight-ahead approach to lyrics in front of a lightly swinging combo. Her recent solo debut, This Is Always, concentrates on romantic chestnuts…”
~ Michael McCall - Nashville Scene
“The best of singers aren't found in front of the band. They're part of the band. And Rebecca Sayre is this outstanding group's principle soloist. Rightly self-assured and possessing a wonderful instrument, she doesn't tell her whole story in one song - or even one listening. This Is Always is a collection of songs you can curl up with again and again."
~
Greg Lee, Program Director - WMOT Jazz 89, Nashville
