By Belinda Acosta
The Austin Chronicle
CD Review
“If ever there was a time to drink in the healing power of music, a new album from Austin divas provides the elixir to soothe whatever ails you. The lustrous voices of local jazz artists Dianne Donovan, Mady Kaye, and Beth Ullman, known collectively as the Beat Divas, soar in a stunning, carefully orchestrated live recording from Austin’s newest (only?) jazz supper club, Reed’s. From standards like “Straighten Up and Fly Right” to bebop and a vocally thrilling tribute to John Coltrane (“There Once Was a Man Named John”), the Beat Diva’s sharp harmonies, clear voices and mature, nuanced delivery is a marvel. Although recorded live, there’s no sense of spontaneity in Live at Reed’s, but that’s not a bad thing. Together with Eddy Hobizal on piano, Paul Spikes on acoustic bass, and Kenny Felton on drums, Live at Reed’sdemonstrates the master musicians’ attention to detail with highly deceptive effortlessness.”