CD Review: Daniela Schächter - Jimmy Van Heusen

Daniela Schächter (pno/vcl); Mike Tucker (ten); Michael O'Brien (bs); Mark Walker (dms).

(Review by Lance).

What's not to like? The songs of Jimmy Van Heusen plus a classy singer who plays fine piano, a Getzian tenor sax and a sympathetic rhythm section.

Van Heusen was a favourite songwriter of both Bing and Frank and, Sicilian-born, New Jersey - based, Schächter does the material proud and she plays piano better than either Bing or Frank!

Think Diane Krall and you're getting close inasmuch as they're in the same ballpark although, over 12 tracks I think it would be declared a draw. However, if I had the deciding vote...

Schächter is yet another diva diving into a not too deep pool that is rapidly becoming so crowded that there is barely room to do the breast stroke - or maybe that's the only stroke possible!

Still, if the pool needs to be drained of Divas then Daniela won't be the first to go - arguably she could be the last! 

With her vocal, piano AND composing talent (track 6 Vanheusenism - a loving tribute to the late Jimmy incorporating so many of the great man's elements) Daniela should be on everybody's list - not least those who also appreciate the kind of tenor playing associated with Stan, Zoot, Kamuca and the other Brothers - over the years there were more than four!

Polka Dots and Moonbeams is given a boppy vocalese treatment making me wonder if she's working on some horn man's solo. Maybe she is because Tucker has a blast of his own that says 'anything you can do I can do better'! Maybe, maybe not - another split decision!

Another masterpiece is, It Could Happen to You - it happened to me from the first few bars!

Call me Irresponsible - voice and bass - I know a couple who could also do justice to this one.

But Beautiful is beautiful but not in the traditional cheesy way - this one swings and, again, tenor man Tucker is in there booting it along.

Then just as you thought it was safe to get back into the water, Daniela hits us with I Thought About You. Vocal, piano and, even without the gutsy tenor, this is the one!

Gershwin, Porter, Kern. Berlin, Rodgers & Hart (maybe Hammerstein) - why isn't Van Heusen on this list (and, of course, Johnny Mercer)?
Tracks: Here's That Rainy Day; Darn that Dream; Come Fly With me; Like Someone in Love/Imagination; The Second Time Around; Vanheusenism; All the Way; Polka Dots and Moonbeams; It Could Happen to You; Call me Irresponsible; But Beautiful; I Thought About You.
Lance.
Release date September 9.