First, a disclaimer: I’m a sucker for piano-vocal duets. Here are a couple that add to the tradition.
Cathy Segal-Garcia continues to carry the baton from a long line of artists such as Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald that have made personal recordings with pianists. Segal-Garcia ups the ante by mixing and matching with a variety of sidemen (and side women) on this sensitive and serene 2 disc set.
Her own voice is strong, personal and flexible, and like all good conversationalists, knows how to adapt to the partner at hand. With Josh Nelson, she is longing and romantic on “I Love You” and “Song of My Heart.” John Beasley’s more Monkish touch has her saunter on “Ruby My Dear” while Gary Fukushima provides a lullabye on “Sleep In Piece.” Violinist Calabria Foti teams with pianist Karen Hammack for some bohemia on “The Room” and the folksy “Mary O’Shaunessy” and Vardan Ovsepian broods alongside for “Something We May Never Know.” Other co-stars include Jane Getz, David Moscoe, Bevan Manson, Llew Matthews and Otmaro Ruiz, who does an enchanting dance with the leader on “Bonita.” A rich collection of pax de deux.
Rebecca Kilgore and pianist Bernd Lhotzky work as a conversational team on this cozy collection of standards. The major focus is on Ellingtonia and obscure Gershwin tunes while a dash of cozy cabaret is felt as Kilgore adds the intros to pieces like “I’m Shooting High,” “Pick Yourself Up” and “The Best Thing For You.” The two get personal and impressionistic on Billy Strayhorn’s “Lotus Blossom” and crate sepia tones on a dreamy “A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing” as they go wanderlust on a bluesy “Grievin’” The two are playful on Gershwin’s ”By Strauss” and get wistful on “Do-Do-Do” while some modern chords are delivered on “Who Cares.” Cozy and confident.
Arbors Records