Gary Gregg • Photo by Elliot Berlin

Charleston Jazz Series Letter
November 23, 2009

Charlie,

We had so many favorable comments about Chaise Lounge’s performance [at the Charleston Jazz Series on November 21, 2009].
What a fun group of musicians! Until the next time...

Claudette Hudson
President
Tgraphics, LLC [Charleston Jazz Series]

Pete Ostle • Photo by Elliot Berlin

Charleston Daily Mail
November 19, 2009

Chaise Lounge was featured in the Charleston Daily Mail.

Chaise Lounge • Photo by Elliot Berlin

WV Public Broadcasting
November 19, 2009

Listen to an interview with Chaise Lounge on the Eclectopia Blog at the West Virginia Public Broadcasting website.

Tommy Barrick • Photo by Elliot Berlin

Fanfare Magazine
Nov/Dec 2009
(Permission to reprint by Fanfare)

Second Hand Smoke CD Review

True to this group’s name, the material on their second CD fits better in a category sometimes described as lounge music than it fits into jazz. Of course, lounge music never would have existed were it not for jazz, but lounge music does what it does through calculation, whereas jazz, even when it is cool jazz, relies on spontaneity. There’s little evidence of an improvisatory spirit at work on “Second Hand Smoke.” That’s not a criticism at all—merely my attempt not to mislead Fanfare’s readers.

On its Web site (chaiseloungenation.com, not chaiseloungeband.com, as given on the back of the CD case), the group introduces itself as follows: “Chaise Lounge performs a blend of music that sounds like it was recorded at Capitol Recording Studios in 1962 and somehow found its way to today’s pop charts.” This is the sound that bachelors used to listen to in their pads, back when they had pads and not iPods. Julie London, Peggy Lee, and Sam Butera (among others) defined this territory, and it remains popular today—albeit with a knowing wink—as suggested by the popularity of Capitol’s “Ultra Lounge” reissue series, and also by the renaissance of interest in people such as Esquivel, Billy May, and Nelson Riddle.

Chaise Lounge is not a tribute or cover band, though. Of the 15 songs on this CD, 12 are originals by band members Charlie Barnett (guitar, accordion) or Marilyn Older (vocals). The concept is rather like that of writing new classical music to be performed by a Baroque ensemble in authentic period style. The three covers are André Previn’s and Paul Webster’s oh-so-hip Like Young (like, wow), the Beatles’s Blackbird, and Big Deal on M Street, whose title is an allusion (I think) to Chaise Lounge’s hometown of Washington, D.C., but whose material is adapted from an old film score by Piero Umiliani. (Umiliani, of course, was the composer of the cerebral Mah Nà Mah Nà, popularized by Sesame Street.) Chaise Lounge’s first CD (“The Early Years”) contains more covers, some of them delightfully unexpected, such as the Talking Heads’s Burning Down the House and Three Dog Night’s One.

It must be said, first of all, that Barnett and Older write excellent songs. The material is smart, funny, tough, and not afraid of emotions. In a musically just world—that is to say, in 1962—people like Dean Martin and Peggy Lee probably would have recorded these tunes. They’re that good. Second, Older is an appealing singer. She blends cockiness and a wisecracking attitude with confessional sensitivity. If you like Canadian singer Holly Cole (and you should), you’ll probably like Marilyn Older, because they seem to have similar priorities. Older, like Cole, couldn’t sing boringly, or fail to create a real character in the course of three short minutes if she tried.

The other members of Chaise Lounge are Gary Gregg (tenor sax, clarinet, flute), John Jensen (trombone, trumpet), Pete Ostle (bass), and Tommy Barrick (drums). Together, they create a sound that is musically tight and always swinging, and all of them are given important solo opportunities as well. You know you’re in the hands of professionals here—professionals who love their jobs.

I was so impressed with this CD that I turned right around and ordered its predecessor. I live in the D.C. area and hope to catch Chaise Lounge live soon. If that’s not a recommendation, I don’t know what is.

- Raymond Tuttle

Marilyn Older • Photo by Elliot Berlin

On Tap Magazine
November 2009

On Tap writes an article about Charlie Barnett and Chaise Lounge.
Read it online or download the pdf.

Liane Hansen, Marilyn Older and Charlie Barnett

NPR
September 20, 2009

On Sunday, September 20th, Liane Hansen interviewed Chaise Lounge on "Weekend Edition."

Click here to listen to the interview and hear some songs!

Chaise Lounge • Photo by Elliot Berlin

The News Leader
Staunton, VA
August 27, 2009

Chaise Lounge will visit the Gypsy Hill Park stage for Staunton's Jazz in the Park series tonight, bringing its blend of timeless, impeccable arrangements and easily discernible vocals.

As the group's lead vocalist, Marilyn Older says the audience members who were jazz fans in the early '60s relish Chaise Lounge's take on that era.

"They are typically delighted to hear 'their' music and appreciate our twist on it," she said. "We are not for the strict jazz enthusiast, but for someone who wants to experience something unique yet familiar and to understand all the lyrics for once."

Chaise Lounge is a six-piece band and, along with Older, features Tommy Barrick on drums; Gary Gregg on clarinet, tenor sax and flute; John Jensen on trombone; Pete Ostle on bass and Charlie Barnett on piano.

Barnett is one of the most prolific composers on the music scene and has written scores for documentaries such as National Geographic's "Tibet's Hidden Kingdom"; television shows like "Saturday Night Live," "The Cosby Show" and "Third Rock from the Sun"; and numerous feature films.

In addition to his film and television work, he composes orchestral and chamber pieces, produces and arranges jazz and pop recordings and conducts.

But Chaise Lounge's music is a group effort, Barnett said.

"I try and keep Chaise Lounge separate from my film/TV work," he said. "The main way they stay separate is that when we finish a Chaise Lounge song, no matter who writes it -- it becomes the product of our collective creative impulses. Everyone in the band has something to say about the arrangements, the phrasing, the dynamics, and ultimately we all decide if it is up to standards of art and craftsmanship."

Barnett was the genesis of Chaise Lounge, tapping Older as the lead singer before she had ever been paid to perform.

"I started singing professionally the day Charlie said, 'Hey MO, let's start a band,' " Older said.

"'You're the lead singer.' We had just completed some studio work with several of the current band members, and the sound was so nice, we decided to run with it. I remember digesting the fact that I would now be performing regularly with some of the greatest jazz players in D.C. That amazement still has not worn off."

Older thinks the music has staying power because of depth-filled songwriting and skilled musicianship. "Charlie and I have always agreed that what we are most drawn to is not the style of the music, but great songwriting," she said. "I think this is true universally. Just like fashion trends repeat, so does vintage music, but really it comes down to really solid, well-performed songs."

While Barnett continues his busy schedule composing scores, he values the chance to get onstage. "Outside of conducting, Chaise Lounge is my only performing outlet," he said. "And I love to perform -- to feel that vibe coming straight back at me from an audience. There is nothing in the world of recording like this." Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.