How suspicious can a guy get? I get this disc with a picture of an attractive vocalist pouring out over her dress on the cover, and immediately think, “Here we go again; another piece of eye candy bored with her life who wants to try something different by regurgitating the Great American Songbook like a thousand other frustrated Diana Krall wannabes. Cynical you say? YOU BETCHA!
Well, surprise surprise! This lady is joyfully and impressively different on a variety of fronts. First, she doesn’t sound like a clone of Krall or Norah Jones. SHE ACTUALLY HAS HER OWN VOICE AND DELIVERY. What a concept! It’s got the swing, timing and tone of Kay Starr (remember her?) the openness of Patsy Cline and the around the block a few times sass of Etta James. Interested yet? Well, she also writes her own stuff, and it’s really tasty! NOW do I have your attention?
All stars Randy Brecker/tp, Bobby Sanabria/perc and Jeff Golub/g drop in for cameos on the small group pieces that include Zach Danzinger or Brian Floody/dr, Peter Zak/p and Tim Lefebvre/b. A hip horn section (consisting of just one guy overdubbing!) or sax section punches up a few of the tunes as well, with a nicely orchestrated ballad to fill out the fare. As far as the material itself, you’ve got some lazy swing like “See you Again,” a hip and striding “Take it Easy” and a vulnerable “What’s Wrong With Me” that will grab your attention within 2 bars. Her voice is earthy and worldly wise, and fits with the joyful sax section on “Happiest Day of My Life” or the Sephardic ballad “The Story of Love.” She’ll get you hot under the collar on the spicy salsa piece “Dance With You” and can sound Rat Packish on “I Love Las Vegas.” If you want to hear a singer that will get you excited about jazz vocals again, look no further than here! WOW!