Combining Billie Holiday’s gift for meticulous but effortlessly poetic phrasing with Anita O’Day’s swingin’ sassiness, June Christy’s cocktail coolness, Patsy Cline’s rural romanticism, and Sarah Vaughn’s sophisticated sultriness, New York jazz/blues singer Tara O’Grady is indeed a musical force of nature to reckon with, and I reckon you’ll indeed be snappin’, swingin’ ‘n’ swayin’ to her self-made slice of sonic sensuality Good Things Come to Those Who Wait. The independently produced album’s moniker perfectly reflects the uplifting nature of the original nifty numbers within, including the title tune and her other unique compositions such as “November Moon,” “Myth of Genius,” “Let Me Be Your Audrey,” “Steady Teddy,” “Goodnight Nora,” and “I Want to Go to There,” the autobiographical anthem for her recent cross-country road trip, sponsored by Chevrolet, in honor of a 1957 journey by her grandmother, traversing the same highways and byways.

Tara’s music is as eclectic, authentic, timeless and nostalgic as the American landscape itself, bound by the common qualities of sincere sweetness and saucy sexuality, as she belts or croons melodious meditations on mirthful mischief and midnight melancholia with equally effortless grace ‘n’ gustiness. There is nothing really retro about Tara’s songs and performing persona, though. She is as contemporary as she is classical in her style and sensibilities, and while she wears her influences on her sleeve, right next to her heart, there is something so real and true in her voice that while listening to her it feels like time has been transcended, and she is a torch-singing temptress serenading you from a celestial saloon. But don’t be fooled by this angel’s hipster halo: after her set, she’ll probably drink you under the table after beating you in a game of poker. And then, if you’re lucky, she’ll ask you to dance. You’d be wise to accept the invitation.

http://taraogradymusic.com

TARA O'GRADY: LET ME BE YOUR AUDREY

TARA O'GRADY: I WANT TO GO THERE

Will "The Thrill" Viharo is a freelance writer, host of the film series “Forbidden Thrills” at Forbidden Island Tiki Lounge, and creator of the long running cult movie cabaret “Thrillville.” He lives in Alameda, CA with his wife Monica “Tiki Goddess” Cortes and their two cats. His pulp novels “A Mermaid Drowns in the Midnight Lounge,” “Lavender Blonde,” “Chumpy Walnut,” “Down a Dark Alley," "Freaks That Carry Your Luggage Up to the Room," and the "Vic Valentine, Private Eye" series are now available at http://www.thrillville.net/fiction/index.html