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Reviews of albums or artists.

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Lorraine Feather – Flirting With Disaster

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Lorraine Feather - Flirting With DisasterLorraine Feather – Flirting
With Disaster (Jazzed Media)
Released – August 7, 2015

Never cover material, always originals from singer/lyricist Lorraine Feather, who adds Dave Grusin to her stable of collaborators on this eleventh album. It’s a set that (for me) needed multiple listens to not only get familiar with unfamiliar territory, but to begin to appreciate the intracacies of Ms. Feather’s handcrafted work.

That’s not new – I’ve been known to take a pass on revewing her work simply because it’s unfamiliar.

And that’s a shame, because I’ve come to appreciate her individual works months – sometimes longer – after they fall into my hands.

Lorraine Feather

Not so this time.

Favorites here include the collaboration with Grusin – adding lyrics to his “Bossa Baroque,” re-titled now, “Wait For It.” I’m also smitten with the title tune, “Flirting With Disaster,” an instrumentally-complex showcase for the band that provides the musical frame for the emotion – love is always on the edge of trouble. Another favorite is the sly and funny “I’d Be Down With That.”

I’m sure others will catch my ear the more I listen.

And that task – listening more – is on the list.

Highly recommended.

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Highlighted tracks have been added to the playlist at 62ndStreet Radio.

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Marianne Solivan – The Lies Of Handsome Men

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Marianne Solivan - SparkThe Lies Of
Handsome Men
From the album,
“Spark” (Hipnotic)
Released September 30, 2014

Francesca Blumenthal wrote “The Lies Of Handsome Men” in the mid-80s, and it’s been covered by everyone from Blossom Dearie to Margaret Whiting to Dame Cleo Lane. Sara Gazarek does a sweet and wistful treatment on her “Blossom and Bee” set from 2012.

But each time the version performed by Marianne Solivan comes around at 62ndStreet.com, I turn the volume up a little. Sparse, bitter – perhaps, but in a more introspective way than outwardly directed.

I’ll admit that I have not listened to the whole album…I gave a quick listen to the tracks, and settled on both this one, and “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” as the two that I’d put into rotation at the little radio experiment.

Both are outstanding, but I like “Lies” better. Ms. Solivan is best when the lyrics give her a chance to slow down and fill the space.

And she does that nicely here.

“Lies Of Handsome Men” is a track that is very highly recommended.

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Lisa Bassenge – Canyon Songs

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Lisa Bassenge - Canyon SongsLisa Bassenge – Canyon Songs (Edel/MPS)
Released – September 25, 2015

About ten years ago, I was assigned to a two-week project in Berlin, and got a chance to do some diving into CD bins during the downtime. That’s where I discovered Lisa Bassenge. With nothing but a hunch based on the slick cover art (it *does* count), I bought the entire catalog up to that time.

It’s not for everyone. I clearly don’t have all of the sensibilities for German jazz, but when the Ms. Bassenge’s tunes hit me the right way, I’ll play them until the grooves wear out. (As if there were still grooves.)

Lisa Bassenge

And so that’s the way it is with “Canyon Songs.” It’s an eclectic mix of sixties classics: The Doors’ “Riders On The Storm” and Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth,” Joni Mitchell’s “The Same Situation,” and the Beach Boys’ “I Just Wasn’t Made for these Times.”

The sound is a little jazz, a little blues, and just a little country, as on Rickie Lee Jones’ “Last Chance Texaco.” It’s a winner, and so is a laid back and swingy version of Tom Waits’ “Blue Skies.”

Recorded in Los Angeles, produced by Larry Klein, who’s worked with Melody Gardot and Madeleine Peyroux, Ms. Bassenge’s new record company is clearly putting some money into the production, hoping for a breakout beyond Germany. German trumpeter Till Bonner joins on three of the tunes.

You’ll want to check to make sure it all resonates with you, but the whole album is priced right digitally, and if you’re like me, some of these tracks only get better with repeat listening.

I’ve been a fan for years. It’s about time Ms. Bassenge’s work is properly recognized in the US.

Very highly recommended.

Tracks in Bold added at 62ndStreet.com Radio.

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Stevie Holland – Life Goes On

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Stevie HollandStevie Holland – Life Goes On
(150 Music)
Released – June 30, 2015

Many singers (or those who represent them), make comparisons in their publicity to giants in the business.

“Like Ella Fitzgerald,” one might say, “(NAME) is a vocalist who…”

Or, “In a style reminiscent of Peggy Lee, (NAME) has a unique sense of…”

You get the idea.

So when I get a comparison in my head that’s sort of off that well worn track, I get a little nervous. Not that I’m necessarily trying to win anyone’s approval; rather, the fear is that I’ll be so out of left field that it will demean the whole piece.

Stevie Holland reminds me of Mel Tormé.

Tormé had a style that sounded like anyone could do what he did. Anyone with lots of practice, spot-on ability to hit the notes, an impeccable, nobody-can-touch-me sense of swing, and the confidence that says yeah…anyone can do this.

Go ahead and try.

So, so effortless, she makes it sound. The great ones do. Never so much as in this set, that opens with that Arlen/Mercer classic, “Skylark,” and glides through pieces both old classic (“Tea For Two), new classic (James Taylor’s “Another Gray Morning), and fresh – Ms. Holland’s own “Tomorrow’s Looking Brighter Today,” with husband and composer Gary William Friedman.

Stevie Holland

Grammy award winner Todd Barkan (This year’s “Best Latin Jazz Album”) produces. The backing band includes Randy Ingram, piano; Peter Brendler, bass; and Jeff Davis on drums. Trumpeter Nicholas Payton guests on three tracks, and a string quartet appears on two.

It may sound easy, but don’t try this at home, kids.

This set is very highly recommended.

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Tracks in bold will be added to the playlist at 62ndStreet.com.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about Callaghan, the US-based, British-born country/pop/adult contemporary artist. “When You Loved Me” was one of the tracks I liked a lot.

 

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Lauren White – Experiment

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Lauren White - Experiment

 

Lauren White – Experiment
(Cherry Pie)
Released – April 4, 2015

“Inspired by the recordings of Irene Kral,” about whom Lorraine Dahl wrote in her book, Stormy Weather: “…she was a master of quiet understatement and good taste.”

And this is largely a quiet recording, with songs just a skosh away from the usual set of standards, like “Show Me,” the Lerner-Lowe tune from “My Fair Lady,” or “Lucky To Be Me,” a mid-40s tune with music by Leonard Bernstein (!), and lyrics from Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

Or entirely different takes on the very familiar – a very introspective “Gentle Rain,” performed as quiet and bluesy ballad before breaking into the beat we may all be more used to.

Whether the playful material from Dave Frishberg (“Wheelers And Dealers”), or the more melancholy material of Fran Landesman (“It Isn’t So Good”), Ms. White delivers with a serene intensity – finding the emotional center of the material.

laurenwhite300-2

Backed by the Quinn Johnson Trio, which includes Mr. Johnson on piano, bassist Trey Henry and Ray Brinker on Drums, this set rides that thin line between cabaret and jazz nicely, and is highly recommended.

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Tracks in bold added to the playlist at 62ndStreet.com.

 

Here’s one of my latest “Oh, my” moments. Melody Gardot has a new set coming out in June – “Currency Of Man.” A few of the tracks are available now at the usual places. Here’s one of them – “Same To You.”

Oh, my.

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Naz – Time After

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Naz - Time AfterNaz – Time After
Released – July, 2014

This is a first jazz album for Nazia Chaudhry, who performs professionaly as Naz, but you’d never know it. She has the poise and confidence of someone who’s been doing this for a long time.

In the mood for a intimate band, that clearly has respect for each other, and an understanding that the girl singer is the star?

These are your guys.

And gal.

Ms. Chaudhry is surrounded with a group of musicians who know exactly how to make the singer look good.

Not that it takes a lot of work – she’s blessed with a sparkling voice, power to spare, and the experience to know how to use it.

Most important – the guys behind her know when *not* to play.

naz300-2

The ten tracks range from old classics (1954’s “Fly Me To The Moon“) to more modern material – Jobim’s “Só Danço Samba” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.”

Drummer Sean P. Jones co-produces with Ms. Chaudhry. Classic arrangements with just enough of a twise to make them new.

And a lively and engaging…very gifted vocalist.

This set is very highly recommended.

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Titles in bold have been added to 62ndStreet.com radio.