I get so many female vocal albums that it discourages me from making one a RINGER OF THE WEEK, as so many of them sound exactly alike. Not this one by Anna Laura Quinn. By the cover, I was anticipating some “quirky indie girl” type of album, but she shows a clever mix of jazz and creativity with her team of Ed Barrett/g, Ben Fox/b, Brad Webb/dr, Kate Campbell-Strauss/ts-bs and Brent Rose/ts-fl.
Her selection of tunes is impeccable, as his her arranging. She does an intimate duet with Barrett on a cozy and warm take of Ellis Marsalis’ “Cry Again” and with multitracking creates a layer of “coos” for a cozy “Very Good Advice”. She’s confident while swaying on “Comes Love” and emotive with percussion on an emotive read of Abbey Lincoln’s “Walking To The Sun”. Wordlessly, she brings a rich interplay with Campbell-Strauss’ bari on a velvety “The Single Petal Of A Rose” and scats around Fox on “Love For Sale”. Nothing seems forced or contrived here; everything is the essence of what a good mix of tradition and moxie can result in. Any tours?