CD Review: Jeremy Fox - With Love

Dr. Jeremy Fox (arranger, conductor, producer, engineer) Various vocalists; also ...

Daniel Strange (piano); Rene Toledo (acoustic and electric guitars); Geoffrey Saunders (bass); Michael Piolet (drums). Complete list of players, including strings, go to: 

karigaffney.com/jeremyfox/index.html

(Review by Ann Alex.)

This CD is a fine compilation of (mostly) jazz standards, arranged by Jeremy Fox, and sung by acclaimed vocalists who have won Grammys and other awards.  Says Dr. Fox ‘They had the innate ability to make this music come alive – with integrity, with passion, with positive energy, with love.’   I cannot add anything to that, except to outline each track.

1/ That Old Feeling is sung about by Kate Reid, a spot-on interpretation, big band sound featuring tenor sax, with a neat bit of scat and a timely stop of the music at the words ‘heart stood still’.  This reminded me of every old black and white Hollywood film that I’ve ever watched.

2/ All MY Tomorrows features flugelhorn and the sound of strings, to suit the tender singing of Kate McGarry.

3/ Next comes a Latin version of Three Little Words, featuring strings and clarinet, and the voice of Kevin Mahogany

4/ Get Out Of Town begins with a staccato big band sound which suits the amusing edginess of the lyrics, and then becomes a fast swing, featuring a tenor sax and the singing of Derek Fawcett.

5/ Sunny Wilkinson sings Sondheim’s Not While I’m Around, featuring a doleful violin.  Feelingly played and sung.

6/ An alto sax features on Girl Talk, sung skilfully by Wendy Pedersen.  I found myself comparing these lyrics with those of The Lady Is A Tramp.  I much prefer the portrayal of womanhood in the latter song – just a thought.

7/ Dindi is sung by Rose Max and Ramatis Moraes, in Spanish (or Portugese?), with lovely viola accompaniment, and the verse is included for good measure.

8/ Next comes Friendship, an original composed by the singer Anders Edenroth, including flugelhorn, flute and cello.

9/ I’m Glad There Is You, sung by Peter Eldridge, features guitar and horn.

10/ Moonray gives us some neat vocalese from singer Lauren Kinhan, with the big band sound and a featured keyboard

11/ Kate Reid sings again on the final track, So Many Stars, to the accompaniment of piano and strings.

This would be a suitable CD to play at your next party, or simply for listening.

The CD was issued on April 15 on the Jazzbill Records label.

Ann Alex