If you’ve followed vocalist Gregory Porter’s career, you know it makes perfect sense to combine his soulful jazz orientation with some rich orchestral accompaniment. This cd/dvd brings that idea to realization, with Porter’s long time team of Emanuel Harrold/dr, Chip Crawford/p, Jahmal Nichols/b and Tivon Pennicott/as supplemented by conductor/arranger Vince Mendoza’s 70 piece band. The result is an evening that shows Porter’s ability to create a vocal range from the earthy soul of a Marvin Gaye to the easy warmth of Nat “King Cole.”
With is quartet at the fore, Porter does some rich post bop on “No Love Dying,” gets you in a church mood as he teams up with a gospel laden Crawford on “In Heaven” and is upbeat with Pennicott’s sax on a sleek take of Cole’s “L-O-V-E.”
Joking with “I better be good, huh?” Porter lives up to his hopes as he expresses gripping issues as on a deeply felt “I Wonder Who My Daddy Is” and is luminous with harps for “When Love Was King.” The orchestra is Hitchcockian for a moody “Miss Otis Regrets” and bold with brass on ”Ballerina” while richly sensuous as Porter reflects on “Quizas, Quizas, Quizas.” While doing material associated with Cole, Porter is able to put his own fingerprint on “Smile” and “The Christmas Song” while setting his own pace on “Hey Laura.” This is a man who has a lot to say, and shows that he’s not even close to running out of ideas or inspirations.