When I first heard that the voice for Haley on American Dad (Rachael MacFarlane) has a jazz album coming out, my knee-jerk reaction was “this has got to be a joke.”
Review by Russell Eldridge
When I first heard that the voice for Haley on American Dad (Rachael MacFarlane) has a jazz album coming out, my knee-jerk reaction was “this has got to be a joke.”
Well, after hearing the first few notes sung by MacFarlane, I felt pleasantly surprised to hear a real and amazing voice on a great jazz album–not just another parody album.
Some naysayers might criticize some of the guitar solos, saying that they aren’t all traditional jazz solos. I myself get annoyed when a band calls themselves jazz just because they play a Major 7 chord, but MacFarlane’s Haley Sings covers many of the requirements one might have to call something jazz. After I thought about it more, I supposed it’s really not that surprising to think that someone from the MacFarlane family would have musical ability. Some of the numbers performed on his shows are quite impressive.
So, if one was expecting a album filled with jokes and slap-stick humor, Hayley Sings isn’t a parody; this is a bona fide jazz album and Rachel MacFarlane’s voice is angelic and soothing.
It’s a cool collection of jazz/pop standards and two of the album’s fourteen songs, “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Makin’ Whoopee,” will be included on the Sept. 30 season-opening episode of Fox TV’s American Dad! (”Out of This World” and “I’m Glad There Is You” are also on the album.)
The remaining tracks are drawn from the ‘60s and ‘70s: Paul Simon’s “Feelin’ Groovy,” the Chiffons’ hit, “One Fine Day,” written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, a second Goffin-King composition, “Up On the Roof” and Lennon and McCartney’s “All My Loving.”
In Rachel MacFarlane’s Words:
“Somewhere along the way in the making of this record I began to wonder where Hayley stopped and Rachael began. After all, we sound the same; love the same music…The truth is that some of these songs were chosen because they seemed to be exactly what Hayley would choose to sing if she were making a record. As a lover of all things 60′s and 70′s, it seemed only natural to reinterpret these songs for a more contemporary audience, but the truth is, these songs were also the soundtrack of MY childhood. I was born in the seventies to hippies at heart who introduced me at a young age to Simon and Garfunkel, The Beatles, Judy Collins and Carole King. I think the listener can hear both Hayley’s and my voice on all of these songs.
Making Whoopee!: This tune is actually featured in the American Dad episode “Love, American Dad Style.” Hayley gets a job singing in Roger’s bar and performs this ala Fabulous Baker Boys. We find out in this episode that she is a lover of the Great American Songbook, as well as folk and classic rock. For me, I love the big band vibe in this track. It’s a fun tune that tells a great little story.
Feelin’ Groovy (The 59th Street Bridge Song): I learned this song from my father when I was about 7. I have been singing it forever. Singing it feels like slipping on an old, comfy pair of jeans. Fans of American Dad know that Hayley also likes to partake and “feel groovy” so this one was a no brainer.
Sooner Or Later: This song was actually the very first serious recording ever made by my favorite singer, Rosemary Clooney, at the beginning of her singing career. It fit the bill of a tune that Hayley would like and for me, felt like a wonderful tribute to a singer who has inspired me my entire life.
Someone To Watch Over Me: This song is also featured in “Love, American Dad Style” and gives the audience the first taste of Hayley’s singing. In the episode, she sings a cappella, and for our purposes, we thought a sweet, dressed down take on the song would be refreshing.
One Fine Day: I learned this tune in college and never, ever imagined singing it with a big band. It has a great, youthful feel to it and was written by Carole King at a time when the women’s movement in music was finding its voice. It certainly speaks to Hayley as well.
Out Of This World: I felt this great Arlen/Mercer tune could have been perhaps the third song in “Love, American Dad Style.” Maybe Hayley singing to Roger. For me personally, I love the rhythm section’s vibe and the overall feel Tedd Firth captured here, with the arrangement.
Loneliness: This rarely recorded Paul Williams song from the 70′s really struck a chord with me. Anyone who has ever felt the emptiness of loneliness will surely relate to this hauntingly beautiful song.
Never Never Land: I have always loved this song. It has a certain whimsy that I know would speak to Hayley, too. This song features a remarkable flugelhorn solo by the late Warren Luening. I feel so unbelievably lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Warren and have dedicated this track to him.
Do You Wanna Dance?: This song has been a hit in virtually every decade since it was written. So I figured, “Why not give Hayley a shot?”
I’m Glad There Is You: This song is dedicated to all of the musicians who played on the record. You inspired me to sound better than I ever thought I could and believe me, “more than ever, I’m glad there is you.”
Up On The Roof: Of all these songs, I think this one feels the most like Hayley might have written it. I can hear the eighteen year old angst and it takes me back to my freshman year of college when nothing seemed to make any sense.
Since You’ve Asked: My parents were married in 1970 after a four month courtship. When my mother passed away in 2010, they had just celebrated their 40th anniversary. This was their wedding song. I chose this song in memory of my mother and for all those who have been fortunate enough to find lasting love.
Time In A Bottle: My father used to sing this song when I was little and I have always felt a connection to the lyrics. It seemed to us that Hayley would have definitely been a Jim Croce fan and it felt very organic to include this track on the record. Of course, we gave it a different little Hayley twist.
All My Loving: Hayley sings this Paul McCartney gem for every hopeless romantic who has been separated from the one they love.”
-Rachael MacFarlane, June 2012
