Here’s a vocalist that sounds like she is comfortable with a lyric, be it her own or Irving Berlins. Ellen Robinson, recorded here at the Freight & Salvage Coffee House in Berkeley, CA, is teamed up with a modern and cool lineup of Murray Low/key, Sam Bevan/b, Dan Foltz/dr and Kristen Strom/sax. She mixes the tune selection between old and newer material, from Johnny Burke to Joni Mitchell, and throws in a few of her own compositions as well. The thing about her that wins you over is that on all of the material, be it the mellower “Dance Only With Me” or the bluesy “If,” she always comes across in a relaxed and homey mood. She treats a lyric like a friend, with thoughtful and personal presentation on the cozy swinging with the bass on “Soon” or the thoughtful piano on her own “The Storm.” The hip bossa of her own “Tick Tock” includes some impressive sasx work, and her thoughtful voicings on “ Calling You” and “ But Beautiful” keep you paying attention to the words, with that rare ability to make you think she’s right there talking to you. A real treat.
EMR Music