In the Archie Comics of life, vocalist/composer Sara Gazarek has leaned toward the Betty (as opposed to Veronica) side of life, being that of the girl next door. This time around, she sounds like she’s been away from Riverdale High for awhile and has experienced a few things of the world. While not with longtime sideman Josh Nelson at the keys, his presence is felt in compositional form. The supporting cast this time around includes special guests Kurt Elling on vocals and Larry Goldings on organ, as well as Stu Mindeman/p-key Christian Euman/dr, Alex Boneham/b, a horn section of Josh Johnson/as, Ido Meshulam/tb, Brian Walsh/bcl and background voices of Erin Bentlage with Michael Mayo.
Gazarek shows that she’s not in Kansas anymore right off the bat, opening up the album and “Lonely Hours” with an assertive teaming with Johnson and sounding strong and defiant with the lyrics. “With the horn section and soulful keys teamed with wistful bass clarinet, she is resigned but comfortable with ”Never Will I Marry” while giving a Broadway mist with Mindeman on her own “Easy Love.” She sounds earthy and strong as the team cascades on the Dolly Parton (!) tune “Jolene” that has her pleading with conviction. The dreamy feel of the reverent horns and her regretful gone make “The River/River Man” rich and textured. “The highlight here is a bowed bass intro to “Cocoon” that has Gazarek vulnerable and haunting teamed with Boneham’s bass and floating clouds of keys and horns, while the artsy “Distant Storm” is a fascinatingly complex mosaic with Elling and Erin Bentlage supplying fragrant vocals juxtaposed with flavored horns.
Musical and mature!