
(Review by Ann Alex)
A
fine singer from Trenton NJ, whose vocal life began singing in her
grandmother's church. She then joined the US army but continued performing in
venues in the States and Europe. She is a trained vocalist who now performs all
over Washington DC, Writes songs and produces. In 2018 Ms Washington was
awarded the Montgomery County Employee's Black History Show contract.
1/ Here's
to Life: This begins surprisingly
with a poem explaining the CD, recited to flowing piano, and voice over keys,
bass, brushes and cymbals 'I had my share, I drank my fill', a song with
optimistic words sung slowly.
2/ Get
Out Of Town: A skilled keys solo enlivens this amusing Cole Porter song,
with the immortal lyrics 'Why wish me harm, why not retire to a farm?’
3/ The
Island: A Latin number with a rippling piano, concerning a desert island
love fantasy, with tapping drums, (or percussion?)
4/ How
Am I To Know? Another Latin, with wooden sounding percussion, probably
clave blocks, and the voice intimate. I think the technical term for this is
voice 'well forward in the mix'.
5/ Don't
Let The Sun Catch You Crying: A much
better version than the pop song. A blues with a muted trumpet making the
'crying' sounds.
6/ Our
Love Is Here To Stay: With a keys solo, as on most of the tracks.
7/ Fever:
A favourite track of mine, with a low tune on the keys, and sung seductively.
8/ If
You Go: A slow heartfelt ballad, using the intimate voice again.
9/ Dindi:
This has to be a Latin of course, with the intimate voice and lots of good
percussion on clave, congas and bongos.
10/ Once
I Loved: A Latin beat with flute remarks between the vocal lines and the
pleasant change of a guitar solo.
11/ A
Time For Love: Our singer gives us lots of imaginative flower images, and
the band does well, especially the drummer with his rhythmic brushes.
12/ I
Just Found Out About Love A great
way to end the album, a fast swing with clever lyrics 'Hey look, give me a
clue, What's love doin' to you?
The
CD is available from www.coniecewashington.com.
Ann Alex
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