REVIEWS

"The songs are different, and quite successful in blending the influence of Coltrane and other post-bop jazz with certain pop vocal echoes that I also hear and find to fit very comfortably. The lyrics creative narratives rather than mere moods, and the singing and playing are of a piece."
Bob Blumenthal

"Mangiardi, who presently lives in Paris, is at once a poetess and songstress. Her wispy voice tells of life and love with a certain innocence. As a composer, she creates a certain aura that acts as the stories' backdrops. Intricately constructed, they are improvised upon and adorned by her highly skilled and sensitive ensemble. While a softly rounded atmosphere most often prevails, the title track boasts moxie with its more demanding rhythm and free-style saxophone work as the sparse lyrics open up the tune. There's a popish edge to Mangiardi's voice on "Friendly Persuasion," which also offers room for wailing. Mangiardi is a stylist, an artist who cultivates mood by employing unusual strokes."
Geraldine Wyckoff, OFFBEAT MAGAZINE, NEW ORLEANS

A spectacular voice that achieves its effects effortlessly… and an obvious aptitude for choosing accompanists. Tony Dagardi, Eric Traub and the rest provide the sort of tastefully jazzy backdrop she needs to excel - and she does!
Michael Roberts, WESTWORK

Mangiardi is a gifted poet who sings jazz. Her lyrics are a powerful exploration of redemption and self-transformation (slightly 'new agey' but not pretentiously so). On this record she works with some of New Orleans' finest.
www.offbeat.com NEW ORLEANS

Denise's technique is so solid that you never worry about it. This frees up her accompanists and her listeners to concentrate on the emotion of the songs she's delivering.
Michael Pellera, PIANIST, COMPOSER

Her light supple voice explores eight introspective original compositions with a moderate pop feel. Annie Ross, Astrud Gilberto, or perhaps a less affected Rickie Lee Jones flicker through these songs, but in the end Mangiardi sounds like no one but herself, the goal of any serious jazz artist.
Tom McDermott LAGNIAPPE, NEW ORLEANS

Mangiardi's soft voice and earthy piano style bring to mind Shirley Horn.
Jeff Bradley, DENVER POST

River shows that Mangiardi has staked out a path of her own…that works whether you are in New Orleans or not. '
Norman Provizer, ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS