Three ladies with stories…
Sandied voiced-Gretje Angell creates light pastel moods in this breezy album with a mix and match team including Dori Amarilio/g, Gave Davis/b, Kevin Winard/perc, Steve Hass/dr, Kevin Axt/b and others. Her intonation is clear, delicate on the bluesy swing of “ Our Love Is Here To Stay” and folksy on an intimate “Do Nothing With You Hear From Me..” She sizzles on a samba take of “Fever” in a small group ensemble, but shines like a candle on a collection of duets with Amarilio on a cozy “Tea For Two” and peppy “Them There Eyes” with an alacrity with the lyrics. A sweet charmer.
Maggie Herron plays piano as well sings with a husky voice with a team of Darek Oles/b, Ray brinker/dr, Rocky Holmes/as, Larry Koonse/g and Bob Sheppard/fl-ts in a rotating basis. In a trio format with Oles and Briner, she slinks to a coy “Centerpiece” and sashays to “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” while giving a gentle and assuring read of The Beatles’ “I Will.” She sounds like she’s inviting you to her parlor on a cozy “Don’t Wait Too Long” and takes you to the saloon on a bluesy “Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good To You” and bopping with Sheppard’s flute on “I’m Beginning To See The Light,” creating some dark hues with his tenor sax on a regret-filled “Just One Of Those Things.” Palpable tones.
Chardonnay toned Jenna McLean creates an impressionistic mood with interprets material from a wide swath of sources. She’s teamed with Steve Kovalcheck/g, Tom Amend/p, Seth Lewis/b and Brian Claxton/dr, mixing and matching their emphasis throughout.
She’s in a soft and reflective milieu with Amend as she leads into a softly swinging band take of “ Long Ago And Far Away.” Arm in arm with Lewis opens a rich “Gentleman Friend” and she gets dreamy on a wispy take of Joni Mitchell’s “Strong and Wrong.” Kovalcheck strums softly as McLean gets percussive as she puts lyrics to Wayne Shorter’s “Fee Fi Fo Fum” and she’s patient and assuring on “I’m Glad There Is You.” Pastels in abundance.