There is life beyond standard versions of standards. Here are a couple of ladies that create two types of variations.
Endearing toned Nana Simopoulous brings in Mediterranean instruments and moods on this collection of original pieces. She herself plays guitar and bouzouki here, and with Ustad Sultan Khan’s sarangi (a folksy violin) and nasally reeds, she takes you back to exotic Greek villages on “Owl Woman” and “And Ever.” The rhythm team of Mary Ann McSweeney-Mano Loutas/b and Royal Hartigan-Michalis Orphanidis/dr creates rustling and abstract moods on the flexible ‘The Pathway” and the dreamy “Anases” includes Dave Liebman’s rich tenor sax. Elliptical and elastic.
Tender voiced Stacy Sullivan brings together Jon Weber/p, Steve Doyle/b and Nick Russo/g-mand for some standards that were cleverly arranged by the pianist. The mood throughout the seventeen songs is misty and subtle, made possible by pasteled reads of “Lullaby of Birdland” and “Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’.” Most of the drive is removed from “I’m Beginning to See the Light” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing/Jump For Joy” as Sullivan and Weber strive more for ambience over swing. Pulses are stretched on “September in the Rain/Come Away With Me” and “I’ve Got a Crush On You” in which only the lyrics help identify the song. Jazz through the looking glass.