Any lingering suggestions that Jacqui Dankworth was trading on her parents celebrated status are completely blown out of the water on this, her most recent CD.
Admittedly there are a few nuances that hint at a maternal influence - there are few British singers who haven't absorbed something from Dame Cleo - but they aren't many of them here most of the time what you hear is pure Jacqui.This is an album that mixes lush strings with emotive vocals and sympathetic solos from such as Karen Sharp on tenor sax and bass clarinet, Tim Garland, soprano, Jimmy Hastings, flute and bass clarinet. Even the late Sir John Dankworth has an alto solo on The Man - an original composed by father and daughter some years previous - grafted into this version.
Sir John's last recorded solo and a worthy epithet.
Most of the arrangements are by Sir John and/or Ken Gibson and they provide the perfect setting for the voice.
In his liner notes, Rod Argent writes "...Jacqui's is a voice made to sing standards...clear as a bell, with perfect intonation."
And what standards!
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square; In the Still of the Night; I'm Glad There is You; A Love Like Ours; My Foolish Heart; Make Someone Happy; Blame it on my Youth; Ill Wind; At Last; Folks Who Live on the Hill plus the title track and The Man - the former written by Sir John and Buddy Kaye.
An album of sheer delight and well worth seeking out.
Lance.
Jacqui Dankworth "It Happens Quietly" Due for release on August 15, 2011
I must certainly seek it out...especially for "Blame it on my youth!
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