Lauren Henderson
(vocals); Sullivan Fortner (piano); Eric Wheeler (bass); Allan Mednard (drums,
percussion)
We never sleep at
BSH, not even during a pandemic, so I now find myself reviewing from a digital
download. A hazard of this is that the tracks aren't quite the same as stated
in the publicity sheet, so there are a couple of extra tracks here for good
measure. I'm not complaining as these standards are imaginatively interpreted,
with superb musicianship from the instrumentalists, who are given lots of space
to display their work, with some tracks rounded off instrumentally, rather than
the more usual habit of ending with a second vocal chorus.
Beautiful Love opens with bass improvisation, then
snatches of the tune from piano, then the song emerges from the snatches,
clever stuff, only two and a half minutes long, but delightful. Besame Mucho
opens with just drums and sinuous voice and ends rather dramatically with a
three times tag. People Will Say We're In Love also has a Latin feel,
with that pleasing 'clank' sound from drums, and piano comments during the drum
solo. Tenderly has the singer's own Spanish lyrics but the second
Day By Day comes in two versions: as a
duo with piano, which romps and solos playfully, such a contrast from the full
group version where the piano blends well with the other instrumentalists. A
pianist who understands his music. Sabor A Mi isn't in English but is
surely about something romantic involving the sea, as the piano seems to
portray waves on the beach. Meditation is to a Latin beat, one of the
tracks which finishes instrumentally with a repeated riff. While We're Young
features interesting rumbling drums and an intimate feel to the singing,
near the microphone, as indeed on all the tracks.
This CD is the sixth time that Ms Henderson has collaborated with pianist Fortner. Ms Henderson is
an arranger and musical impressario as well as a singer. She has a diverse
background of Spanish and Portuguese influences, and she has qualifications in
Music, Business and Hispanic Studies. She has performed in Europe, Mexico and
South Africa and she is at present preparing for her tenth tour of
Europe.
The album was
released on April 24 on Brontosaurus Records
Beautiful Love;
Besame Mucho; People Will Say We're In Love; Tiernamente (Tenderly); Day By
Day; Sabor A Mi; Meditacao (Meditation); Day By Day (duo); While We're Young.
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