Deborah Shulman (vcl); Terry Trotter (pno); Larry Koonse (gtr); Ken Wild (bs); Joe La Barbera (dms).
(Review by Lance).
At first listening I dismissed this as boring perfection. After further listening, and washing my ears with Grandma's Lye Soap, I removed the adjective. This is as close to a perfect interpretation of choice, mainly contemporary, songbook items as you are likely to hear this week/month/year (delete as applicable). Emotive takes that bring out the lyricist's intent perhaps even more than the guy intended!
If you want a yardstick, think Shirley Horn. The same laid back approach that digs deep into the words. Horn was more an out and out jazz performer. Shulman dips her toe only slightly in the muddy water here (although on other discs such as her Bobby Troup tribute she leaves no doubts!) preferring instead to grace the material with her distinct approach - a sort of Broadway after Dark, maybe a late night club in the Village trying something a little different on a quiet night.
No shortage of jazz amongst the boys in the band. Trotter, Koonse, Wild and the legendary Joe La Barbera keep the pot simmering at just the right temperature.
Shining Sea; A Sleeping Bee; My Foolish Heart; Loving You (Sondheim); My One and Only Love; Never Never Land; Some Time Ago; This Hotel; You Are there; Where Do I Go From Here? and Tom Waits' Shiver Me Timbers tells you what it's all about.
Originally recorded in 2007 it took some finagling to finally get it on the shelves and online but it's out there later this month (Jan. 12) on Summit Records.
Lance.
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