Yet another outstanding NYC vocalist. They must be standing ten abreast the length of Broadway hoping for a review by BSH that will enable them to be doing the same on Frith St. only to find that the pavements of Soho are already full!
However, on the strength of this album, Jane Scheckter can find herself close to the top of the list in any city be it New York, London, Paris or, indeed, anywhere where sophisticated yet exciting interpretations of compositions by the grand-masters of popular song are appreciated.
The material is choice, the arrangements by Firth are superb, as are his piano solos. Warren Vaché's trumpet solos add an extra piquancy that do no harm at all.
But, most importantly, it is Scheckter's way with a lyric. Not as emotional as Billie or Frank but, arguably, closer to the importance of the meaning of the words than even such vocally crowned heads as Sarah or Ella with their impeccable techniques didn't always achieve.
With this in mind, maybe one day, when she's old and grey, although hopefully before then, Scheckter will record a songbook album as Ella did for Granz back in the day. Granz and Ella covered most of the bases but they missed out on Frank Loesser, Victor Young, Vernon Duke, the Bergmans and Michel Legrand to mention but a few.
In the meantime, if you're a singer working the same side of the street, start looking over your shoulder...
It's just been released by Doxie Records although you may have to call on an online version of Sherlock Holmes to find out more! Lance
Love I Hear; I'll be Easy to Find; I'll Take Romance; A Beautiful Friendship; You'd Better Love me; Moments Like This; My Foolish Heart; After You; I'm Gonna Lock my Heart and Throw Away the Key; If Love Were All; Here I am in Love Again; You Are Not my First Love; Isn't it a Pity?; Then Was Then; Looking Back; What is There to Say?; What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?.
No comments :
Post a Comment