Jamie Shew (vocals, melodica); Jeremy
Siskind (piano); Kait Dunton (Hammond B-3, Rhodes); Mike Scott (guitar); Lyman
Medeiros (bass, vocals); Mark Ferber (drums); Mario Jose (background vocals).
At first glance with 10 selections culled from the very well-worn heart of the Songbook, Spicy, Classy (and a little) Sassy might be an album that one might take for granted – or Heaven forbid, pass by. That would be sad because this offering from L.A. based vocalist, composer/arranger, and educator, Jamie Shew and crew is an enticing, most enjoyable, and downright fun visit.
A
stalking bass-piano line introduces Shew’s surprising take on Bronislaw Kaper’s
Invitation. Her playful approach to the melody’s rhythms puts a jeweller’s
sheen on the track. Pianist Jeremy Siskind offers a splendid solo. It’s a terrific
opener. In a neat arranging and production touch, Comes Love gets an old-time,
honky-tonk presentation complete with Shew’s melodica solo. Siskind buys in
with another invigorated ride. It’s a tasty cut, tempting – and warrenting replay.
The “hot mic” banter after the close tells all. Shew and bassist, Lyman Medeiros
duet on a Siskind easy-swinging original, Each Time, a tasty nugget. The
boy-girl set-up reminds one of vocal partners such as Jackie and Roy or Steve
and Eydie. Close Your Eyes gets a bit of a hippity-hop all-four vibe.
Shew tells the tale with more than a tad of that sass referenced in the album
title. There’s a blues-ish patina all over this track. Ghost of a Chance
brings out the torch. Shew, rhythmically playful, gets the message across
perfectly. Kait Dunton’s B (for blue)-3 chording behind Shew puts this track
back in a classic ‘50s session setting à la Dinah Washington or Dakota
Staton. Catch Shew’s “ghost” on the finale - very hip and very killer. Secret
Love is the burner of the session. Arranged fairly straightforward, Shew
spills the secret and Siskind burns, alternating statements with bassist
Medeiros and drummer, Mark Ferber.
Shew
is an interesting and extremely talented singer and arranger. She makes time,
melody and lyrics playful and the key parts of her creative sandbox. And, she
always seems to offer a surprise or three “hear” and there. She’s lithe and
quite versatile across the date. And, her companions all shine, support and
cheer on. Her arranging and production work on this effort is excellent.
Things
get boogaloo funky with the Shew original, Enough. She covers the
machine-gun rhythmic lyric with great flair. There’s an intense bass statement
from Lyman Medeiros and Kait Dunton stretches over the deep-pocketed rhythm.
All breaks loose in a modulation. This is a let-it-all-hang-out thriller. Deep-meaning
lyrics are the heart of Letters from You, a contemporary presented tale
of loneliness. The track builds with Mario Jose joining. Shew’s versatility is
on display here. Medeiros panther-stalking bass opens All or Nothing at All.
Shew states before the double-timed bridge, a nice change of pace.
Guitarist Mike Scott burns a ride there. Shew presents the usually balladic I’m
Glad There Is You over an active Poinciana-like bed that’s propelled
by Medeiros’ bass and Ferber’s drums. Her extended take out on the last section
precedes a bouncing piano solo from Siskind. An extremely effective closer.
Spicy,
Classy, and a Little Sassy checks all the boxes in
its title and offers even more – superb singing, great arrangements, and fine
solos. After digging it, one might say with a little sass: “I’m Glad There is
Shew.” Nick Mondello
Invitation; Comes Love; Each Time; Close
Your Eyes; Ghost of a Chance; Secret Love; Enough; Letters from You; Bewitched,
Bothered and Bewildered; All or Nothing at All; Just Squeeze Me; I’m Glad There
Is You.
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