Erin McDougald (vocals, bandleader); Dave Liebman (soprano, tenor); Tom Harrell (trumpet, flugelhorn); Mark Sherman (vibes, percussion) Rodney Green; (drums, cymbals); Chembo Corniel (percussion); Rob Block (piano, guitars); Dan Block (alto sax, flute, clarinet); Cliff Schmitt (bass)
(Review by Ann Alex)
‘You’ll like this’ said Lance, and I certainly did. It even has a jazzy version of one of my favourite folk songs as the last track, and big hitter musicians such as Liebman and Harrell on saxes and trumpet. It’s very much our singer’s individual take on a wide range of songs, including a cha cha version of Brother Can You Spare a Dime and a rhythmic 5/4 timing for the ballad Don’t Wait Up For Me. Mostly standards, some lesser known, and one original number, the title track, from Ms McDougald; Outside The Soiree.
This is our singer’s fourth studio album, with the theme of outsiders, people who are not in the majority, independent, lonely in love, bucking the trends. If that sounds ponderous, the music isn’t, it manages to be serious but with a light touch, always enjoyable. Ms McDougald is Chicago-based and has appeared with many elite jazz performers at venues from Chicago to Paris, including the Chicago Jazz festival and Le Bilboquet in Paris.
Don’t Be On The Outside begins the CD, quirky, rhythmic chords, delightfully toned clear dictioned vocals, with keys, trumpet, vibes, and worthwhile lyrics ‘Take a fool’s advice, it’s worth the sacrifice, to stay on your side’. Begin the Beguine is slow with rippling piano and swishing cymbals. The Man with the Horn is slow and sensuous, led by tenor sax; Midnight Sun bounces along with changing time signatures and clever solos from soprano sax and vibes. There is effective pairing of songs on 2 of the tracks: When the World Was Young and The Ballad of All the Sad Young Men and then Linger Awhile and Avalon. This serves to contrast the themes of the songs, and shows much thought in their selection. Unusual Way gives us a smooth haunting clarinet. Other tracks not mentioned are The Masquerade Is Over; Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most. And it’s all rounded up with the folk song, in which the singer admits her faults disarmingly, The Parting Glass.
The release of the CD was celebrated with a concert on McDougald’s birthday on March16, which you’ve missed, but it was in Michigan USA anyway. Released by Miles High Records.
Ann Alex
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