(Review by Lance).
Readers may be forgiven for thinking this is Daryl Sherman Week on BSH. Well, maybe it is!
This is a delightful album displaying Daryl's distinctive, often winsome, voice bringing to mind Shirley Horn and Blossom Dearie without actually sounding like either.
The absence of a drummer gives it an intimate feel, almost as if it was taking place in your living room. Kellso’s lyricism recalls Bobby Hackett which adds to the ambiance whilst bass and guitar blend in perfectly with the piano.
And the songs! What a selection:
The Land Of Just We Two: – Words and Music by D. Sherman – a late entry to the GASbook.
Stars Fell on Alabama: Complete with the rarely heard verse. Vappie’s guitar giving rich chordal accompaniment with Kellso adding sympathetic obligati on the middle eight before taking over for a chorus. Daryl takes it out.
At Sundown: Kellso, Vappie and Boyd are with our girl all the way. The guitar solo is in the Carl Kress, Dick McDonough tradition and the vocal will surely rank alongside the very best recordings of the song.
Lost in a Crowded Place: A woman panicking because her date is late. Lovely piano and, again, Kellso’s trumpet is outstanding and how about the line? – The phone is near I’ll put a dime in and tell him what a quandary I’m in. By Irving Caesar to a melody by Barbara Carroll.
Turkquoise: Lyric by Daryl, melody by Turk Mauro. Turk Mauro! I recall a tremendous session at the Bull’s Head in Barnes circa 1980. Turk was on baritone, Tommy Whittle on tenor with the Tony Lee Trio. After that, he [Turk] kind of vanished off my radar so it’s nice to hear a composition of his with the added bonus of my favourite singer. Vappie chips in with an acoustic solo to die for, Daryl on piano, then Kellso muted, bass solo, then wrapped up with a swinging vocal by Daryl with instrumental interjections from ‘the boys.’
You Go To My Head: A vocal duet by Daryl and Vappie who isn’t a bad singer either. Although done at ballad tempo it isn’t as maudlin as this song often is. It works well.
Azalea: An exotic Ducal opus. Bass opens and closes, Kellso and Daryl in the middle. Emotive vocal.
The Lorelei: The Gershwins came up with this gem - I want to bite my initials in a sailor’s neck. Daryl makes the words sound convincing. Great growl trumpet from Kellso, bluesy piano from D. Love it!
If We Never Meet Again: Written by Louis Armstrong with words by Horace Gerlach, this was a new one on me but done justice by Daryl and, naturally, some Kellso trumpet.
Everything But You: Music by Ellington, lyrics by Don George. A fun song even though it deals with a break-up! Dig the lyrics.
New Sun in the Sky: Vappie switches to banjo for this Schwartz/Dietz song from the film, The Bandwagon. Kellso brings Ruby Braff to mind with his spirited solo.
Rainbow Hill: By Billy VerPlanck, husband of singer Marlene VerPlanck both now sadly passed on. Daryl’s version is an emotional tribute to their memory.
An album of not overdone songs beautifully sung and played by Daryl and her ace musicians.
Lance
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