Vocalist Mary Foster Conklin mixes the drama of cabaret with the swing of jazz on this rewarding album of clever covers. She teams up with John diMartino/p, Ed Howard/b, Shinnosuke takahashi/dr, Joel Frahm/ss-ts, Warren Vache/ct, Paul Meyers/g, Nanny Assis/perc ang guest Houston Person/ts for a flexible session.
She sounds worldwide throughout, and can deliver a lyric with style along with Frahm’s soprano and some nice cymbal work by Takahashi on “Night in the City” whle she sounds luminous with Howard’s bass on “Key Largo.” She has a nice feel for the Latin lilt, charming your socks off on “Night Song” while the samba slithers to Meyers’ guitar and Person’s tenor on “For No One.” She gets shadowy with Howard on “Small Day Tomorrow” and emotes urgency to diMatino’s piano and Takahashi’s brushes on “Autumn Serenade” while Vache’s muted horn coos out accompaniment. This lady sounds comfortable in her own skin and is inviting on a myriad of moods.
Mock Turtle Music