Linda Stout

BEST SOLO CD: Linda Stout, "Good Luck Child." Working with Charlie Shew on most of the tracks, Stout (who produced the CD herself) combined jazz, pop and folk elements into a tasty whole, one marked by sophisticated arrangements and evocative lyrics.

BEST FEMALE SINGER: Linda Stout. Showcased her impressive voice on her debut CD, "Good Luck Child."

-- Jim Catalano, Ithaca Journal Ticket editor - The Ithaca Journal

Album: "Good Luck Child," (2004), Ghost Cat Records
The Buzz:
Wonderfully understated and sultry, Stout's meld of jazz and pop stylings on her solo CD has received hearty nods and accolades for over a year already, including being named "Best Solo CD" and "Best Female Singer" by The Ithaca Journal last December.
Why are we putting "Good Luck Child" back under the microscope in 2005? First, because the fact Stout self-produced the CD is indicative of the artist's vision and prowess. It's truly sublime in its subtlety, leaving plenty of room for Stout's warm, passionate vocals to resonate amid acoustic guitars, piano and congas.
Second, with the holidays right around the corner, this album is a most-worthy addition to the stocking stuffer list for that special someone with the sophisticated musical palate. Lastly, because this issue of BUZZ is all about "coupling up." Our advice: Light a fire, open a bottle of wine, put "Good Luck Child" in the stereo and take the phone off the hook on your next date night. You're welcome.
-- By Todd Russell - Buzz, Finger Lakes regional entertainment publication

Singer-songwriter Linda Stout is a cat who purrs, rather than growls, and the jazz-infused songwriting on her debut CD Good Luck Child highlights her intimate, warm vocal sound. Ghost Cat Records is an appropriate label for this recording: music which comes out at night - sleek, sure footed, agile, sensuous, and independent.

Stout's light soprano sound is as cool, crisp, and multifaceted as a Finger Lakes Reisling. Good Luck Child catches every nuance and range of her voice, from mellow to ringing tones. Her songs are modern, while firmly rooted in the cool urban jazz of the '40s and '50s.

For her first recording, Stout is joined by a range of local musicians, including Charlie Shew, Johnny Dowd, Dana Paul, and Jan Nigro. Good Luck Child features 12 original compositions, including a musical setting of Emily Dickinson's poetry in "Emily's Muse."

Rarely has the subtlety of Dickinson's poetry been so well musically supported. This modern take on a literary art song leads into the pure country sound of "Blue Blue Water." Stout's lyrics are clear and comprehensible. She has something to say and we can catch every word in these tasteful arrangements. The songs collected here show that Stout is comfortable in her voice, flexible from piece to piece, and yet focused.
-- By Pamela Goddard - The Ithaca Times

In excerpt:
The first time I heard Linda Stout's dreamy voice I was hooked. From the first enchanted chord of "Falling" to the cheerful last note of "Tell You So", Good Luck Child is an emotional experience that is at times magical, at times mystical, and completely captivating. Once you start, you can't stop listening. The music is addictive. No wonder RadioioAcoustic has already picked it up and added it to their "acoustic faves" list. - The Singing Songwriter

I really enjoyed your CD (obviously, huh?). I think I found out that you 'self-produced' it from your site. Your work as a whole came across as being very well-conceived to me, top-to-bottom. You are very in-touch with your sound and most adapt at capturing the essence of your vision and direction (rather than distracting your material's prowess with a bunch of studio bells-n-whistles). I also
think that the City of Ithaca DOT should play your CD this winter from
their trucks as, surely, your voice will melt the ice on Collegetown
hill faster than salt ever could.
-- Todd's reply to a thank-you e-mail - Postcrypt to BUZZ review

F-ing killer CD...silky voice. - David Malachowski, freelance critic in Albany area