No surprise – there are hundreds of singers on my iPod.
Sometimes, I have to check to see which one I’m listening to. Sometimes, I know from the way the singer sounds. In marketing, that’s called “product differentiation.”
It’s what makes this one stand out from the others; unique, as stated through the “Unique Selling Proposition” – the promise made to the consumer in the advertising.
“…when it absolutely, positively has to get there overnight.”
“…lasting more than four hours, seek medical help immediately.”
“We try harder.”
Oops. Showing my age, again.
Besides, you didn’t come here for Marketing 101.
Nancy Harms – In The Indigo
Released – November 19, 2009
You’ll not mistake Nancy Harms for anyone else.
Billie Holiday, Julie London, even Amy Winehouse or Madeleine Peyroux – I found touches of all of these singers, and yet I’ll probably need to begin a new category of vocalists who sound like Nancy Harms. It’s not only that the interpretations are different.
They are.
And it’s not only that her voice has that kind of cool that sometimes swings from heartbreaking to indifferent in eight bars.
It does.
It’s the package – that starts with the look on the cover of the CD, and goes on to deliver inside. It’s the look that says it would be really nice if you come along for this one, but if you don’t, well – that’s okay, too. Sultry, moody, anything but fragile, Ms. Harms creates a presence that is substantial – in control, and in my mind, it’s what separates her from those four I mentioned at the top.
This first disc is a trip that looks and sounds like anything but a maiden voyage. There are the requisite number of standards with a delivery that’s anything but; an offbeat John Mayer tune – “Great Indoors,” and a pair of originals, including the title track, and “Surprised By The Morning,” based upon a poem from Siri Myhrom, and featuring an outstanding turn by Kelly Rossum on trumpet.
“Bye Bye Blackbird” is the opener – and this disc will grab you about sixteen bars in. For reasons I cannot explain, I’ve fallen in love with the way Ms. Harms pronounces the word “astound” in a version of “On A Clear Day” that I find strangely compelling. I also thoroughly enjoyed “I’m Pulling Through,” a song I typically skip on the Billie Holiday or Diana Krall discs.
I talk about the whole package – that would include the group of musicians Ms. Harms has gathered for this, including Tanner Taylor on keyboards, Graydon Peterson on Bass, Jay Epstein on drums, Mr. Rossum on Trumpet, and Robert Bell on Guitar. Chico Chavez and Spencer McGinnis each take a track on drums.
By all accounts (here’s one at the MinnPost website), Ms. Harms was doing just fine as a small-town school teacher, and chucked it all to roll the dice on something different.
Oh my, the kids must be saying. Look at Ms. Harms now.
Am I smitten?
You bet.
Highest recommendation for this outstanding piece of work. This one will be in heavy rotation on the ‘pod for some time to come.
One of these days, I’m going to do a rant on how those who are thinking about producing their own disc need to think about the whole package, and that includes spending the money on proper art for the cover.
None of this “I think my cousin has a friend who has Photoshop…” stuff. We’re talking curb appeal here, people. I can’t do it, but I work with good people who do good work, and like the old line about pornography, I know it when I see it.
Props to Ms. Harms for popping for good cover art. Also to Wendy Woods, the photographer who got it right for the front and back covers. If you go to Ms. Woods’ website, look under “headshots” for the original snaps for this disc. Stunning.
Inside shots for the disc are more intimate, and warmer – those were done by Lisa Venticinque, who apparently makes a living taking pictures of kids. Nice job on this big kid.
And finally to Dan Miggler of Noiseland Industries for the layout.
I admire packaging, too, guys. This is all stuff of the very highest order.
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