Suzanna Ross (Vocals); Gregory Toroian
(piano, arrangements); Skip Ward (bass); David Silliman (drums)
Suzanna Ross sings in New York City at jazz
and cabaret venues, such as the Metropolitan Room and TOMI Jazz as well as performing
at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning. Growing up hearing all kinds of
music, her repertoire is wide, including jazz, French chansons, pop, bossa nova
and songs from films. This is her debut album.
The mix of songs is, indeed, very varied, and
the instrumentalists are well up to the mark, especially during their short
solos. I can simply quote from the notes supplied '[they] offer solid and
subtle support'. Ms Ross's voice is enjoyable to listen to, but, to my ears, the
tone was a little unsure at times. The voice was stronger on the French chanson
items, with an effective vibrato sound, adding to the passion of those songs.
It is worth listing the tracks individually to demonstrate the variety.
Haven't We Met
Bewitched - not the usual jazz song but the theme song
from the TV show. I remember this well, the heroine waggled her nose to cast
spells. I know this from my misspent youth watching too much TV.
Dreamer, followed by Ces Petits Riens - in French with a piano
introduction. Then Mr Wonderful which is sung with feeling. Summer
Me, Winter Me is from a 1969 film, a lively fast tune, rounded off, impressively, with a bass drum playing along with high pitched piano.
Parlez-Moi de Lui is followed by my least favourite song - My
Favorite Things - and then comes Laura from the 1944 film noir. For
Me Formidable has alternate French and English lyrics followed by a catchy Come
To Baby Do. Over The Rainbow is a little different from usual, sung in both
English and French.
The last 3 tracks are Boomerang Baby,
an Australian love song; the Herman's Hermits' number There's A Kind Of Hush, and
Live for Life, a fitting finale, all about living life to the full in
the present.
The album was self-released on March 20, 2020, presumably available from the usual suspects. See www.suzannaross.com
Ann
Alex
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