CD Review: Donna Singer and The Doug Richards Trio - Jazz In The Living Room

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.   

Tracks.

Ann Alex.