As a friend of mine says, there’s one thing that God didn’t create, and that was a substitute for experience. These two singers ably show that it’s not the schools of Berklee or Manhattan that make the artist, but the one that you learn from AFTER your “education.”
I wish Ed Reed would come down from the Bay Area and do a few gigs here in LA. I just love this guy. He sounds like he’s lived a full life, is relaxed with who he is, and has a voice that feels like he’s been on the trails with Walter Brennan for a few mule rides. Here, he delivers a tribute to Nat King Cole’s trio, but not by copying their style, but bringing forth tunes they did and making them feel timelessly up to date. He works with Randy Porter/, Anton Sschwartz/ts, Jamie Fox/g, John Wiitala/b and Akiria Tana/dr, but mixes and matches them around, even doing duets with a few of the gents to luscious effect. Hipper than a chiropractor can handle is the take of “Meet Me At No Special Place” as well as a nice jivin’ “Is You Is…” while “I’m A Shy Guy” and the title track sound cozy and personal. What a treat!!!
Then, you’ve got vocalist Jay Clayton who pairs up with John Di Martino/p and warm toned Houston Person/ts for a tribute to the obscure-in-name-but-not-in-song composer Harry Warren. Never heard of him? How about his tunes “At Last,” “September in the Rain” or “I Only Have Eyes For You” for starters, buddy?!? Yeah, he did those and other gems, and Clayton gets creative, with a wonderful intro to “At Last,” an elliptical “Shadow Waltz” and vocal chirps on “This Heart of Mine.” Di Martino’s piano pops like a dancer’s toes on “You’re My Everything” and delivers a warm frame for “There Will Never Be Another You,” while Person’s tenor rolls in like a fog throughout. As relaxed as sitting by a fireplace with an Italian liqueur.
Blues Shorts Records
Sunnyside Records