JACINTHA - Autumn Leaves : The Songs of Johnny Mercer (2000) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Nine of the 11 tracks here are ballads. Their uncluttered arrangements spotlight Jacintha's smooth and sensuous voice, while her expressive phrasing draws the most from the classic Johnny Mercer lyrics. Jacintha includes the original lyrics to "Autumn Leaves," done in soft and flawless French; otherwise, her primary innovation is to deliver the tunes straight and sincerely, with minimal improvisation and maximum tenderness. There's no trace of the customary bitterness in "One More for the Road," and her unaccompanied reading of "Moon River" liberates that song from any prior goopy associations. In fact, her version brings out the poignancy of the lyrics so purely that her additional chorus, coming after a rather wandering piano interlude, seems redundant. The band is good but pretty restrained throughout, supplying subtle commentary and close support, then breaks out nicely on the two up-tempo tracks: "And the Angels Sing" and "Something's Got to Give." Jacintha's measured, legato approach isn't very conducive to swinging, but listening to "Skylark"and "Midnight Sun," in particular, is like sipping cool champagne in a fragrant hot tub. Another highlight is the bonus track, "Here's to Life," a signature tune for Shirley Horn, which Jacintha takes at a slightly faster tempo. While it's not a Mercer lyric, its beautiful sentiments and melody fit nicely into this relaxed and intimate set. Whatever this CD may lack in fire, it makes up for in warmth. by Judith Schlesinger  
Tracklist :
1     And the Angels Sing 3:30
Ziggy Elman / Johnny Mercer
Drums – Joe LaBarbera
2     Skylark 5:17
Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
Drums – Larance Marable
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
3     One for My Baby (And One More for the Road) 5:19
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
Drums – Larance Marable
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
4     Midnight Sun 3:55
Sonny Burke / Lionel Hampton / Johnny Mercer
Drums – Joe LaBarbera
5     Autumn Leaves 7:45
Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert
Drums – Larance Marable
Trumpet – Will Miller
6     Days of Wine and Roses 5:26
Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer
Drums – Larance Marable
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
7     I Remember You 5:33
Johnny Mercer / Victor Schertzinger
8     Trav'lin' Light 6:30
Johnny Mercer / Jimmy Mundy / Trummy Young
Drums – Larance Marable
Trumpet – Will Miller
9     Something's Gotta Give 4:04
Johnny Mercer
Drums – Larance Marable
Trumpet – Will Miller
10     Moon River 8:29
Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer
Drums – Joe LaBarbera
- Bonus Track -
11     Here's to Life 4:48
Artie Butler / Phyllis Molinary
Drums – Larance Marable
Organ [Hammond B-3] – Artie Butler
Credits :
Bass – Darek Oles
Piano – Kei Akagi
Tenor Saxophone – Teddy Edwards
Vocals – Jacintha