Vocalist Beverley Church Hogan teams with some of LA’s finest jazzers on this pretty and polished album produced by pianist John Proulx. The team of Proulx’s piano with Graham Dechter/g, Clayton Cameron/dr, Lyman Medeiros/b, Ron S tout/tp-fh, Doug Webb/fl-ts and Kevin Winard/perc create perfect moods for a late night “Speak Low” and warm and wispy “Take My Breath Away.” A midnight lit “You’re Looking At Me” mixes Dexter’s guitar with Hogan’s comforting tone, while she is reflectively in remorse with Proulx on “I’m Through With Love”. Stories being melodically told.
Rebekah Meldrum has an earthy and gravely delivery as she gets down and dirty on these seven originals that are made for late night juke joints. She’s backed by Paul Holdman/g, David Murray/b, Kevein Kouts/dr, PJ Yinger/tp, Richard Dole/tb, but most of all the wailing harmonica’s of either Patrick Long or Tad Robinson on these swampy capers.
Meldrum growls like an alley cat on the stomping “Set Your Soul Free” and gets dark bluesy for a smoky “Gypsy” and “Whisky and Wine”. She glides over the bass line on the soulful “Ain’t Thinking ‘Bout You” and slides over the funky guitar riff of “Coat Tails” while preaching on the gospel’d “Far Away.” She’s most intimate and vulnerable closing out on “I’m Here,” but she bares her heart all through the night.