Ostensibly a tribute to Duke Ellington - indeed ten of the eleven tunes do have Duke's name among the credits - the Ellington mood is ever present, even on the the only non Ducal number: So Far, So Good.
So Far, So Good is in fact the opening track setting the scene for the delights to follow, one of which is I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues. Both have gutsy tenor solos and Gill is in fine voice as we've come to expect from her previous three albums on the Turtle Bay label.
Love You Madly always reminds me of the first time I heard Duke address the audience at Newcastle Odeon in 1958. The song came later. Hannah does it justice and, along with tenor and guitar, returns the sentiments of the title.
Alexander blows a relaxed few bars tenor intro to I'm Just a Lucky So and So before Hannah picks it up and delivers it in her own elegant way. Tenor returns and he hits lucky too with a solid groove solo. Salcedo provides a lyrical guitar intro to I Didn't Know About You. Hannah uncovers every emotion in Bob Russell's lyric and Duke's tune. How could I know about love? I didn't know about you. Magic!
I Got it Bad (and that ain't good). Not many singers have a bash at the verse of this Ellington classic but Hannah never ducks a challenge and she, once again comes through aided and abetted by Salcedo's accompaniment which oozes empathy.
Azalea, it seems, is a love song to a flower - or is there something I'm missing? Whatever, it's a beautiful song and rather than look for something that probably isn't there, relax and enjoy Hannah's vocal. Five will get you ten that tomorrow you're down the garden centre.
Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me, has Hannah firing on all cylinders. She pitches unexpected intervals that never miss the target and have me gasping at her accuracy. More great guitar from Luis with Ricky returning to throw in his ten bucks' worth - these guys don't deal in cents!
I Like the Sunrise, a lovely, dreamy melody with both voice and guitar gelling perfectly. Take Love Easy, a laid back, cool groove with guitar, bass and drums providing a soft cushion for the lady to Take Love Easy. Nice bass solo.
Azure, a superfluous whistler opens and closes an otherwise beautifully sensuous track with Hannah and Salcedo bringing to mind Samara Joy's first album with Pasquale Grasso - it's in that league.
Love You (the album) madly. Lance
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