Vocalist Sara Gazarek and pianist/arranger Josh Nelson have been staples of the LA scene for years, usually performing together in small group gigs around town. For this album, they played to their strengths and deliver a definitive album for each as the duet like Fred and Ginger through standards and a few originals.
Gazarek is misty eyed cheerful and optimistic in voice, radiant throughout “Blackbird/Bye Bye Blackbird” while Nelson provide some hip chords on “The Sunny Side of The Street.” The team is clever and kinetic on “O Pato” as Nelson strums the piano strings in percussive form and they walk you through the graveyard at midnight during “No Moon At All.” Nelson hits the dark keys during a chiaroscuro’d “Mood Indigo” and is dreamy on “Without A Song.”
The originals are just as strong; “All Again” brims over with hope and “Petite Papillon” mixes Satie-esque piano chimes with Gazarek’s Left Bank bohemia and Monet Impressionism. The mood of the entire album is filled with rich pastels that mix water lilies with views of the countryside. Rewarding on many levels.
Steel Bird Music