Here are some ways the female voice can be presented. In full bloom or with simple pedals.
Rachel Caswell does a series of duets of standards with either bassist Jeremy Allen or guitarist Dave Stryker. Her voice gives hints of Cassandra Wilson on the cozy swinging pieces with Stryker on “Sometimes I’m Happy” and holds her notes well with him on the gentle “For All We Know.” With Stryker on acoustic guitar, she leans towards a Joni Mitchell mood on “All I Know.” With Allen delivering a resonant line, she bounces along “If I Should Loose You” and lets Allen slap the bass on the playful “The 59th Street Bridge Song” and can also display anguish on the lonely “You Don’t Know What Love Is.” Impressive and strong.
Laura Dickinson delivers an upbeat and uptempo tribute to Sinatra on this collection of tunes that have a wide variety of arrangers from Marty Paich to Gordon Goodwin to Dickenson herself. Lots of punchy brass and full bodied reeds are felt as Dickenson’s clear tone shines through on an enthused “Come Fly With Me” and an optimistic “The Tender Trap.” A 70s pop feel is polished on a clean reading of “You Go To My Head” and Old World strings create a nostalgic mood on “All The Way.” She dances with a gentle guitar on “My Funny Valentine” and is lonely and intimate with pianist Alan Steinberger on a “One For My Baby” that has her closing down the saloon. Fun for the finger snappers!
Turtle Ridge Records
Music & Mirror Records