Donna Singer
(vocals); Doug Richards (bass); Billy Alfred (piano); Mike Cervone (drums); Also
Jeff Otis (guitar).
(Review
by Ann Alex).
I know why Lance gave me
this CD to review – because it includes the song he dreads most! You’ve guessed, it’s Summertime, one of many standards on the CD. Other numbers are Honeysuckle Rose; Bye Bye Blackbird; On Green Dolphin Street; The
Nearness Of You; Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me; Satin Doll; S’Wonderful;
Dindi; I Got Rhythm; and Route 66, though
not quite in that order as 3 of the tracks come up at different times from that
listed on the CD, a bit disconcerting.
The other 2 of the 14 tracks are originals Another Bossa (Otis) and Reve
Aver (Richards). The latter is a
tuneful whole band instrumental and the former a catchy guitar number.
The musicians do their stuff well with lots
of solos – I noticed the drummer was rather light of hand compared to many
others, lots of brushes and cymbals. The
Summertime track is actually rather
good, a straight chorus with the voice and bass only, then a quicker chorus
with the trio, piano and bass solos, drums and piano swapping 4’s, then all in
on the final chorus.
I hadn’t heard of this
singer before, but she is well known in the States from radio broadcasts and
countrywide performances, and she is a voting member of the organisation that
awards the Grammys. Her voice is pleasantly
sultry and warm, with beautifully clear diction, which enabled me to at last
work out the narrative of the song Do
Nothing Till You Hear From Me. However this singer didn’t sound quite as
comfortable in the higher ranges of her voice, but perhaps it was something to
do with my ears.
Generally a very
pleasant listening experience.
The CD, Donna Singer and The Doug Richards Trio - Jazz In The Living Room
was released on January 28 on the Emerald Baby
Recording Company label.
Ann
Alex.
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