Timeless vocals and piano are served by Catherine Russell and Sean Mason as they come together for a cozy and rich read of Tin Pan Alley standards, when songs wre written for and by the likes of stride pianists like Fats Waller and James P. Johnson. But this isn’t just a collection of imitations, as Mason caresses the ivories in the traditional fashion, but with a modern sense of lyricism,melody, harmony and sup port.
Russell is also the perfect vocalist for the task, as her voice is both strong as in the pre-microphone days, but carrying with it modern day nuance. The two are cozy as they stroll around “A Porter’s Love Song” and get coy for “The Best Things Happen While Y ou’re Dancing”. The two give a joyful bounce to “You Can Depend On Me” and slip and s lide through “Waitin’ For My Train To Come”. Mason touches the ivories like a water color painter finishing up his canvas,with gentle dashes on “Ain’t That Love” and a dark “I Don’t Need No Doctor” with Russell taking the chords like a baton hand off on the 400 meter relay. This is a true joy of song.