Performance reviews

"Carlson, whose wide-ranging soprano exhibits the sonority of a Broadway singer with a gently swinging jazz style, proved a winning seasonal performer with Richard Rodgers' 'My Favorite Things' from 'The Sound of Music,' followed by the Blane and Martin creation, 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,' both nicely arranged by [Dick] Reynolds. Chicago-based Carlson's vocal treatment included some scat singing, and pianist Scott Stevenson provided solid and inventive support. ... Carlson returned to the stage, with Santa Claus at the piano, for a torchy version of of Javits and Spinger's 'Santa Baby.' As effective a jazz pianist as Stevenson proved himself earlier in the program, it must be said that Santa was ever so much better." [Santa was played by Stevenson.]

Chuck Klaus, Syracuse Post-Standard    

"Carlson's voice soared [in her performance with the Cedar Rapids Symphony] on 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' from the original stage version of 'The Wizard of Oz.' ... Carlson clearly enjoys singing jazz, and the music arrangements provided ample opportunity to showcase her talent. ... Carlson's renditions of Cole Porter's classic 'I Get a Kick Out of You,' from 'Anything Goes' and the sublime 'Night and Day' from 'The Gay Divorcee' were the icing on an already rich evening."

George C. Ford, Cedar Rapids Gazette

"It is that time of the year again -- thoughts go to baseball, vacations and the annual pops concert given by the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra. Saturday night, the Civic Auditorium was transformed into a 1940s ballroom (partially) and it was a "swinging" time. ... After a rousing rendition of "American Patrol," the featured vocalist for the evening was introduced by mistress of ceremonies Fran Milo. Margaret Carlson, from the Chicago area, is an accomplished jazz vocalist. ... Carlson is so at ease on stage, her mere presence is enough to make the audience like her. She sings with a style that exudes confidence and vocal dexterity. She adds improvisation to her melodies in the tradition of "scat" singers, but does not overdo its use. Effervescent might be a good term to describe her on-stage personality. The voice is clear and she exhibits a good range. As with all pop vocalists, the ability to sell the songs to the audience is paramount, and Carlson is definitely near the top of the heap. ... The end result was a crowd-pleasing event that will make the audience look forward to next year's concert."

Robert Dure, LaPorte Herald-Argus
Dure holds bachelor's and master's degrees in music

"Margaret performed an outdoor concert with the Duluth Superior Symphony recently, and was absolutely sensational. She has a superb, flexible voice, a great sense of rhythm, and she sings in tune. Her charts were magnificent: easy to read, easy to play, and quite effective. Moreover, Margaret is the consummate professional, a complete joy to  work with. I recommend her highly!"

Markand Thakar
Music Director, Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra
Co-Director of the Graduate Conducting Program, Peabody Conservatory

Reviews of 'This Christmas ... my favorite things'
(Read the review by Chicago Tribune Jazz Critic Howard Reich here.) 

"Margaret Carlson has a stunning voice not unlike Julie Andrews--and it's not just on the cover of 'My Favorite Things.' This elegant (and swinging) collection boasts arrangements by Chicago stalwart Frank Mantooth. ..."

Mark Guarino, Daily Herald (Chicago)
 

"This is a compelling album. Margaret Carlson's nice phrasing and beautiful intonation will add more joy to your holidays for years to come."

Marshall Vente, Jazz Institute of Chicago

"My final analysis is that "This Christmas" is a terrific Christmas album, because it's so versatile. Lots of people put holiday CD's on for background music during gatherings. Others want foreground sounds when there're wrapping presents or sitting by the fire. Whichever need you happen to have, this will work."

Kyle Eller, Duluth Budgeteer News

"Margaret Carlson just released a compact disc of holiday music titled, 'This Christmas ...my favorite things.' ... It follows her debut release, 'Once In a Blue Moon,' in which the talented vocalist shares her fresh interpretations of jazz standards.

"Her holiday album shows off her star-quality voice in a delightful collection of songs. ... Selections include a stunning version of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,' and an effective, emotive blending of  'Jesus Loves Me' with 'Silent Night.'

"The album is full of inventive musical surprises--right down to the phrasing of the chorus for 'Deck the Halls'."

Renee Tomell, Press-Republican Newspapers

"Carlson gets a chance to show her vocal range, 'belting out a tune' in the CD title track 'This Christmas,' before calming things down in the CD's final song -- the reflective, melancholy Irving Berlin classic from 1942, 'White Christmas.' ... One of the best songs on the CD is 'Sweet Little Jesus Boy,' a beautiful passage that Carlson makes sound like a more traditional love song."

Dave Heun, Kane County Chronicle

Reviews of live performances and her first CD, 'Once in a Blue Moon' 

"First-rate jazz and a first-rate cause are the harmonious pairing behind 'Music for People Who Need People,' a benefit concert this month for TriCity Family Services. ...

... Slipping into character for each of the songs, the award-winning Carlson has a silken voice and polished delivery that put her personal stamp on every number. It turned out to be a memorable night of music that ranged from mellow jazz, sultry sambas and high-flying scat and pure romance all the way to deep-down blues."

"... It was not difficult to see why Mantooth sees such promise in the vocalist. Her style was the perfect fit for the mixture of melancholy love songs and be-bop fun on display through the night. ..."

"'Delicious … delightful …de-lovely!' She didn’t sing Cole Porter, but vocalist Margaret Carlson certainly brought those lyrics to mind in her captivating performance at our 11th Annual Holiday Party on December 9th. ... They came early (right at 6 p.m.), not wanting to miss a moment of Miss M’s sparkling personality, lilting voice and musically masterful arrangements. Most were culled from her self-produced CD by Chicago pianist/bandleader Frank Mantooth, featuring such great standards as 'Day By Day,' 'But Not For Me,' 'That’s All' and a gala rendition of 'Tip Toe Thru the Tulips.' Needless to say, sales of the entitled 'Once in a Blue Moon' CD  were brisk. ..."

"Once in a Blue Moon" is an appropriate title for Margaret Carlson's debut album after 10 years away from the music business. But than again it's not.

Fans of Carlson's smooth mellow jazz music will hope she records much more often then that. ..."

"Trying to catch a performance by jazz vocalist Margaret Carlson of Batavia in the past decade has been almost as tough as pinning down a shooting star, but thanks to the release of her debut album, the pleasure, though still rarefied, is within one's grasp. ...

"Carlson's appealing voice breathes rich interpretation into her lyrics, making each number sound fresh. With consummate control, her voice glides effortlessly from the soaring range of a 'A Sleepin' Bee' with lyrics by Truman Capote into the sultry territory of 'Come Rain or Come Shine.' ...

"The album's selection of songs reflects a sophisticated balance in tempo and mood. For a change of pace, some of the songs are accompanied sparely by piano and guitar. 'I'm very happy with how it turned out,' she said. ..."