Wendy Kirkland (piano & voice); Pat Sprakes (guitar); Paul Jefferies (bass/bass guitar); Steve Wyndham (drums) + Roger Beaujolais (vibes); Tommaso Starace (saxes)
(Review by Lance)
The much anticipated second
album from Kirkland has arrived and it doesn't disappoint! How could it? A voice to dream about, sparkling piano solos, a swinging band and a mix of originals, jazz standards and some not yet overdone gassers make this an album deserved of repeated playing.
Guitarist Sprakes combined with Kirkland on the originals as well as soloing effectively. Beaujolais peppers the album with a couple of tasty blasts and Starace is always handy to have around.
Sprakes and Kirkland's The Music's On Me and the standard Haven't We Met? set the standard and the standard is high.
Duke Pearson's Sandalia Dela, sung in Portuguese, and which, to my untutored ear, sounds quite authentic.
Russell Malone provided Playground, Wendy the words and Beaujolais the vibrant vibes.
Nothing Like You from Bob Dorough and Fran Landesman. I felt this number was worthy of more than the 1:30 of its existence. Nevertheless, Wendy sped through the tune effectively in the time allotted and the intro with just voice and brushes rather special.
Michel Petrucciani's September Second featured Starace on alto and Jefferies on bass. Words once more by Wendy. 7:48 on this one.
West Coast Blues. The Wes Montgomery classic is best known for the lyric by Sascha Burland that was popularised by Nancy Wilson and many other singers since. However, Wendy has elected to pen her own words although the tune remains the same. Difficult to listen to a song with different words to what you're used to - it takes time.
O Gato Molhado a Sprakes/Kirkland original. Portuguese/English lyric.
Sunday in New York. One of my all-time favourite songs sung delightfully with lyrical guitar and piano solos. Even if she never opened her mouth this girl would be a star.
The appropriately titled original, Travelling Home brings the disc to a close but not before Starace has had his say on soprano sax.
I frequently comment on the number of women vocalists that appear almost overnight and, nine times out of ten they are excellent. Wendy Kirkland keeps the standard high with the bonus of her piano skills helping to keep her ahead of the pack.
Book her somebody - I don't want to have to go down to Cleethorpes (Sept.28) or any of these other faraway places.
Outstanding.
Lance.
CD now available (click here).
Album launch @ Pizza Express, Dean St., Soho on Saturday (July 27).
Album launch @ Pizza Express, Dean St., Soho on Saturday (July 27).
1 comment :
I agree wholeheartedly with your review of this album. There is some very tasteful playing and Wendy's vocal acumen is outstanding in every aspect --including the Portuguese!
A really excellent album which I would thoroughly recommend and, as you say, it would be great if she came up this part of the country, although I have nothing against Cleethorpes or Chesterfield!
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