COURTNEY FREED “BIG CRAZY LOVE”

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Blessed with a powerful and dynamic voice, Courtney Freed has a subtle style (only unleashing her power when it fits), a strong musical curiosity, and the ability to sound quite individual while performing in several different styles and musical idioms.

Following on the success of her previous recording Happy Little Bluebird: The Music of Harold Arlen, the singer goes in a different direction on her recent release Big Crazy Love. She shows strong talent as a songwriter, contributing six originals, and also performs five standards from such composers as Antonio Carlos Jobim, George Michael, and Freddie Mercury.

Joined by guitarist Hamody Hindi, pianist David Saffert, bassist Bernardo Gomez, drummer Kyle Owen, Josh Gilbert on tenor and flute, and three string players (violinist Patti King, arranger Kyleen King on viola, and cellist Anna Fritz), Courtney Freed creates a dynamic set of infectious music.

Big Crazy Love begins with the singer's "There's A Mornin' Coming, " an optimistic and celebratory modern folk song which has a touch of gospel and country, and plenty of Saffert's soulful piano. "Take Your Time" is a superior pop original that features tasteful guitar from Hindi and Courtney's confident yet soothing voice. She infuses Jobim's "No More Blues" with warmth and joy before introducing her likable original "Big Crazy Love" and her playful "Ancient History."

Courtney's "Sea The Sea" is a catchy tune that could easily be a singalong. She next sings a relaxing version of "What A Difference A Day Makes" (which has fine interaction by guitarist Hindi and keyboardist Saffert), and sounds quite exuberant on "When We Were Lovers." She gives James Shelton's "Lilac Wine" a dramatic interpretation and clearly has fun on George Michael's party song "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go." Her memorable set concludes with Freddie Mercury's "Melancholy Blues" which is turned into a real showstopper.

Courtney Freed adds excitement to whatever setting in which she performs. Based in Portland, Oregon, she has appeared regularly in local musical theatre productions. She created the very popular concert series Portland Sings! in which she puts the spotlight on some of Portland's top vocalists, and she has produced many memorable productions including her one-woman show Mercury Rising which is her tribute to Freddie Mercury. As a solo singer, she has performed in New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles and led her swing band the Courtney Freed Five. Her debut album Happy Little Bluebird: The Music Of Harold Arlen album includes fresh versions of such popular numbers as "If I Only Had A Brain" (from The Wizard of Oz), "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home, " and "Come Rain Or Come Shine."

With the release of Big Crazy Love, Courtney Freed will be gaining further recognition not only as a captivating and stirring vocalist but as a talented songwriter.

Artist: COURTNEY FREED

Title: BIG CRAZY LOVE

Artist Website: www.courtneyfreedmusic.com

Release Date: March 1, 2022

Label: Self Produced

UPC Code: 195269142636

Musicians: Courtney Freed - Vocals (all tracks), Danni Parpan - Vocals (on "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"), David Saffert - Keys, Bernardo Gomez - Bass,

Kyle Owen - Drums, Hamody Hindi - Guitar, Josh Gilbert - Sax and flute, Bizarre Star Strings (Patti King - violin, Kyleen King - viola, Anna Fritz - cello),

Kyleen King - String Arrangements

Track listing

1. There's a Mornin' Coming (Courtney Freed) 3:03

2. Take Your Time (Courtney Freed) 3:29

3. No More Blues (Antonio Carlos Jobim) 3:53

4. Big Crazy Love (Courtney Freed) 4:46

5. Ancient History (Courtney Freed) 3:24

6. See The Sea (Courtney Freed) 3:53

7. What a Difference a Day Makes (Maria Grever) 4:41

8. When We Were Lovers (Courtney Freed) 3:26

9. Lilac Wine (James Shelton) 4:24

10. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (George Michael) 3:05

11. Melancholy Blues (Freddie Mercury) 3:37

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