For one reason or another this one never quite reached the top of my review pile - there always seemed to be some upstart jumping the queue - 'shy boys etc.'.
This is an unforgivable oversight on my behalf not least because a) it's been smouldering in my in-tray since February, b) with so many female singers arriving by trains and boats and planes, a new male voice makes for a pleasing contrast and c) it's a damn fine record!
Oscar Brown Jr.'s Mr. Kicks gets things rolling with a swinging vocal, booting tenor from Kyle and a short piano solo from either Dawson or the singer himself.
Any singer who chooses to sing You Make me Feel so Young is putting himself in the ring with the champ. Nevertheless, the record shows that Miller took the blows and did it his way pushing Frank to a split decision that could go either way. Nice flute from Kyle.
In a sense the Brubecks' Strange Meadowlark and Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael's Skylark are birds of a feather and, putting them together was a natural pairing which works beautifully. Some of the intervals in the latter tune are quite demanding and Miller nails each one.
Hello Love is a new tune to me. Composed by Michael Barr and Dion McGregor it hit the decks for Blossom Dearie back in 1960. Its emotional content is well-carried by Miller who perhaps engages with the message - once you love somebody you carry that love with you, you carry their voice with you.
Dream, a Johnny Mercer song that Crosby, Sinatra and every other crooner has used to cure insomnia with sees Miller caressing the verse aided and abetted by Kyle's tenor, Dawson's piano, Berghofer's bass and gentle woodpeckering drums from LaBarbera.
I've Got my Love to Keep me Warm: Gently swinging vocal with stride piano accompaniment. Another one that Frank, Deano, Tony and the Sicilian imports set the bench mark for. Mark Christian Miller gives it his best shot and comes close but no cigar,
Ned Rorem's Early in the Morning has a rustic folksy feel that suggests a country boy and a shy young maid taking their first hesitant steps towards adulthood.
I'll See You in my Dreams has tenor, piano and drums tearing it up with Christian doing likewise with the words.
Sometimes, composed by Mr and Mrs Mancini brings the album to a delightful close, Just singer, song and piano who could ask for anything more?
A must for dreamers and late-night lovers. Lance
No comments :
Post a Comment