Vocalist Dominique Eade teams with pianist Ran Blake for fresh approaches to standards and compositions from varying sources ranging from Johnny Cash to Charles Ives. Eade’s voice is rich and palpable, armed with an expressive vibrato and a tone that gives hints of Doris Day and Chris Connor. Blake’s piano sets artsy moods, plunging into the keys on an elliptical read of Bob Dylan’s “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding)” while calling out to the wild on “Moon River.” Wordless vocals give a free form prismatic touch to Walter Schumann’s “Pretty Fly” and the two create a reflective starry atmosphere for “Moonlight in Vermont.” Blake displays his touch on some solo pieces, creating shadows on “Moti” and “Harvest Massachusetts General Hospital” and forms a bohemian mood as Prudence Steiner narrates on Charles Ives’ “Thoreau.” Deep messages with deliveries that demand the lyrics be attended to make this an intriguing display.
Sunnyside Records