In both classical and jazz there have been a surfeit of tributes to Leonard Bernstein. This one with the vocals trombonist Nils Landgren and Manhattan Transfer’s Janis Siegel supported by either members of the Bochumer Symphoniker or Landgren’s quartet with Jan Lundgren/p, Dieter Iig/b and Wolfgang Haffner/dr is a subdued and lyrical treat.
What makes it work so well is that no one plays their hands. Even the more rhythmic pieces like “Something’s Coming” is more of a ripple than a wave, and the two vocalists sound quite cozy together, while on “Some Other Time” they sound more wistful than regretful. Landgren with his quartet is subtle and makes Mel Torme’ seem like a nervous wreck in comparison on “Cool” and takes on dreamy than the usual desolation on “Somewhere.” There’s a delicate quality as Siegel joins with Landgren’s trombone on “Lucky To Be Me” but that is just a conjoining piece in this pastoral mosaic. Excellent!
The Act Company