Album Review: Jamie Shew – Spicy, Classy (and a little) Sassy (Self-produced)

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.