Audrey Malone & Michael Evans

Audrey Malone and Michael Evans
A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER
Modeled upon the classic recordings of Anita O'Day, the Andrews Sisters, Les Paul, Cab Calloway and the Ronettes, Nashvile-based duo Audrey Malone and Michae Evans perform nine original songs for the holidays.
by John Wirt
music writer
Friday, November 13, 2009
p. 16 and 17 - Fun! The Advocate

Audrey Malone and Michael Evans at the French Quarter

The Christmas album remains the most profitable seasonal music item around. But the trick is always finding a way to make the hymns and classic numbers sound, if not fresh, at least different from the million other versions out there of “Jingle Bells” or “Silent Night.” Fortunately, the duo of energetic vocalist Audrey Malone and guitarist Michael Evans, songwriting partners for more than a decade, not only avoids overly familiar material, but also puts some performing muscle and rhythmic punch on their new CD A Holiday To Remember, excelling on such tunes as “March of the Magi,” “Twas the Night” and “This Christmas.” They also range over the idiomatic map, weaving bits of soul, jazz, girl group and ’50s pop into the mix—something they’ll no doubt display during their CD release show.
Ron Wynn
- The Nashville Scene

Our Review

Some of the best fun I have with this Christmas reviewin' thing is finding out about wonderful new holiday treats before just about anybody else (except Carol, who has been beating me to the draw for several years running). I was reminded of this special blessing as I began listening to Audrey Malone and Michael Evans' new A Holiday to Remember, a swingin', jazzified set of nine original Christmas tunes. Malone's vocals are vivacious and playful. Evans' instrumental accompaniment, along with that of the ensemble assembled here, is tastefully understated and cool. I consider it a blessing any time I can get through an entire CD without listening to Silent Night. But I feel extra blessed to be in the vanguard and giving a boost to something as interesting as A Christmas to Remember.

--Richard Banks
(Reviewed in 2009) - ChristmasReviews.com

Nearly every year, I do a column featuring new Christmas releases combined with winning Yuletide releases from past seasons. Here are a couple of early ones to whet readers’ appetites combined with several others in the broad musical bag of the reviewed recording. I don’t usually do much Christmas-music listening until after Thanksgiving, so there will likely be more Christmas albums to mention.
‘A Holiday to Remember,’ Audrey Malone & Michael Evans (Grail Records, HHH)
This Oct. 15 CD comes from bassist/vocalist Audrey Malone and guitarist Michael Evans, who are backed by some of Nashville’s finest players (drummer Marty Lynds, flautist Johnny Heinrich, and more). It features nine songs written by the two, whose musical partnership spans over a decade.
Highlights include the lightly swinging “Dreamin’ of Santa,” the Ronnettes-recalling “This Christmas,” the flute-featuring “Twas the Night,” and the instrumental “March of the Magi.”
Despite the recording locale and Nashville cats, much of the album brings to mind the smooth jazz sounds of Harry Connick, Les Paul and others; so it’ll be a good one for fans of that genre or others who’d enjoy some mellow originals.
Ricky Flake
Thursday, November 19, 2009 - Biloxi-Gulfport Sun Herald