Nine years after Newcastle born Ingham's first album dedicated to the music of Hoagy Carmichael, an album which, incidentally, had Russ Morgan on drums, the singer/pianist has come up with a long awaited sequel that fully lives up to expectations.
Although there are several well known songs from Carmichael's considerable output (500 songs) there are also some less familiar numbers as well as a few totally new to me. All combine to convince anyone who didn't already know it that Hoagy Carmichael was the jazziest composer of all the creative denizens of Tin Pan Alley.
When he teamed up with lyricists such as, among others, Johnny Mercer or Frank Loesser the magic was palpable plus.
Ingham's vocals and his piano playing totally capture the mood of the material without sounding dated - this music is timeless. Just as some singers become identified with various composers e.g Ella who almost cornered the market - almost! She missed out on Hoagy*. Well that gap has now been filled!
However, whereas Ella had lush orchestral backings arranged by Riddle, Bregman etc. Ingham does it with just a quartet. On trumpet, Higgs brings Bix to mind - no surprise there - he has the same sense of lyricism whilst, when muted, it's Bubber, Cootie or Rex. Rev. Brown and George Double are effectively unobtrusive underpinning it all.
I can't wait for Hoagy III! Lance ...
... Although the album isn't due to be released by Downhome Records until September I just couldn't hold back. I will post the review again nearer the release date by which time I'll have probably worn my copy out!
*Ella did do a Johnny Mercer songbook but only included one collaboration with Hoagy, the beautiful Skylark.
Don't Forget to Say No Baby; (Up a) Lazy River; The Monkey Song; Ain't There Anyone Here For Love?; Billy-a-Dick; Small Fry; Jubilee; Two Sleepy People; In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening; Rockin' Chair; Down, Boy; The Nearness of You; Winter Moon; I Walk With Music; Heart and Soul
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