A choice selection of cross genre tunes given here a shot in the arm by Hall's husky voice and her distinctive approach possibly developed over the years as a touring member of Steely Dan or her resilient come back after losing her voice during the early days of Covid. Probably a bit of both. Whatever, it worked proving that there was some good to emerge from that awful period even if wasn't known at the time.
Horace Silver's Pretty Eyes, recorded by the composer's quintet plus Jay Jay Johnson on Silver's iconic Blue Note album Cape Verdean Blues and vocalised thirty years later by Dee Dee Bridgewater, is well suited to Hall's softer, but no less effective approach. Laid back muted trumpet from Henderson.
Randy Newman's Let's Burn Down the Cornfield isn't a song normally heard in a jazz context, indeed it's the first time I've heard it in any context! It has a country feel to it but not enough to make Buddy Rich turn in his grave (country music being one of his alleged allergies). There's enough bluesy inflections for it to pass. Gary Bartz is on the track and plays a few telling phrases.
Abbey Lincoln's A Turtle's Dream is another unknown composition (to me that is). However, as the title track of Lincoln's 1995 Grammy nominated album I should have been better informed. Still, Hall's version could well be worthy of a recording gong in its own right. The supportive quartet are also on the money.
Oscar Brown Jr., Tommy Turrentine and Julian Priester put their heads together for Long as You're Living to great effect and once again Abbey Lincoln was the bench mark and Bartz sizzles.
Phil Moore's Tender as a Rose is another one from Lincoln's repertoire that is ideally suited to Hall whose tender approach complements the title.
Lullaby of the Leaves, the only out and out songbook classic, swings along refreshingly with some out of this world blowing by Henderson both in solo and in duo with Hall. Worth the price just for this track alone.
Azure, composed by Ellington and parasitic publisher Irving Mills, is deep and meaningful. The vocalist extracting a degree of life from Duke's intentionally sombre mood.
Aretha Franklin's Day Dreaming from the Queen of Soul's hit album Young, Gifted and Black is shown respect that, even 50 years later, is still applicable today. Maret's bluesy harp choruses atop of the Chestnut Quartet add to the groove.
An excellent album that had me immediately reaching for the repeat button. Lance
No comments :
Post a Comment