Thomas' debut album. Well, er, actually it's her second except that for her previous album, Times Like These (reviewed HERE) her moniker was Nica Carrington. Confused? Me too. However, the name of the record label offers a clue (see heading) and if you skip down to the lower graphic all will be revealed.
Still Veronica or Nica, Thomas or Carrington, what's in a name? At the end of the day she could be called Fanlight Fanny and it wouldn't detract from the voice which is absolutely delightful and there's the rub. NYC where she now lives and LA where the album was recorded is awash with vocalists who have voices that are absolutely delightful. Other parts of the world too.
Nevertheless, despite the overcrowded playing field her interpretation of a lyric, the subtle nuances she adds to the melody, the tasteful scatting and, of course, the sultry sound of the voice itself, place her just that little bit closer to the winning post than the rest.
Ably aided and abetted by Proux's piano - great soloist and spot on accompanist. The magnificent Sheppard - his tenor solo on the title track is as an integral part of the tune as was Trane's on the Johnny Hartman version of the same song. Gurrola's in the pocket bass playing - if only all bass players could get a sound like he does on the opener Almost in Your Arms. Simpatico drumming from Elzen - his exchanges with Proux on If I Were a Bell brought to mind a line from the song, 'If I were a gate I'd be swinging' - he was that gate!
Almost in Your Arms; Get Out of Town; Invitation; They Say It's Wonderful; If I Were a Bell; Dindi; Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered; Speak Low; Stuck in a Dream; A Sleepin' Bee; Too Late Now; Two For the Road.
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