CONNIE EVINGSON AND THE JOHN JORGENSON QUINTET — All the Cats Join In (2014) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Love Me Or Leave Me    4:30
 Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
2    I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me    3:11
 Clarence Gaskill / Jimmy McHugh
3    Dream A Little Dream Of Me    4:44
 Fabian André / Gus Kahn / Wilbur Schwandt
4    Jardin D'hiver    4:59
 Keren Ann
5    All The Cats Join In / Tickle Toe    4:40
 Ray Gilbert / Jon Hendricks / Jessica Molaskey / Eddie Sauter / Alec Wilder / Lester Young
6    Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea    3:08
 Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
7    Black Orpheus    4:11
 Luiz Bonfá / Antonio Maria
8    I'll Follow The Sun    3:13
 Paul McCartney
9    Solitude    3:57
 Eddie DeLange / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
10    The Jersey Bounce    4:03
 Tiny Bradshaw / Buddy Feyne / Eddie Johnson / Bobby Plater
11    You're Driving Me Crazy    3:17
 Walter Donaldson
12    Moonlight    3:12
 Alan Bergman / Marilyn Bergman / John Williams
13    World Without Love    3:58
 Paul McCartney
14    The Lamp Is Low    4:23
 Peter DeRose / Mitchell Parish / Bert Shefter
Credits :
Connie Evingson - Producer, Vocals
Doug Martin - Guitar (Rhythm)
Jason Anick - Violin
John Jorgenson - Clarinet, Guitar, Liner Notes, Vocals (Background)
Rick Reed - Drums, Percussion
Simon Planting - Bass

Connie Evingson — Some Cats Know (1999) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Just prior to Some Cats Know, Connie Evingson released Fever, her tribute album to Peggy Lee. A glance at the title of this new release might lead one to conclude that this is another album paying homage to Lee. Not at all. While there is a nod or two to the inestimable Peggy Lee, like the title tune, this album is an exhilarating, entertaining exposition of Evingson's considerable vocal skills accentuated by the presence of great veteran jazz players. Their talents, and those of the several local musicians on this session, are not wasted. A good deal of attention has been given to the arrangement of each of the songs on this varied play list. "More Than You Know" is a tour de force with Sanford Moore's funky, low-down piano providing most of the backstopping on this bluesy rendition of this tune from the 1929 musical Great Day. The tenor saxophones of Dave Karr and the legendary Chicago horn man Von Freeman engage in a musical conversation on a very upbeat "It's Alright With Me," with Sanford Moore moving in as Evingson segues into "I Love Paris." Karr's haunting flute is the musical passport to a plaintive vocal version of "Close Your Eyes." Toots Thielemans gets on board with his harmonica as he and Evingson romp through his jazz standard, "Bluesette." This tune also features Reuben Ristrom's Barry Galbraith-like guitar strumming behind Evingson, with Jimmy Hamilton's straightforward, no-nonsense piano getting a lot of play on this tune Doc Severinsen's muted trumpet joins Evingson on "I've Got the World on a String" and is also prominent on a sultry, lush version of "'Round Midnight." "More Than You Know" conjures a small, smoke-filled New York lounge with a chantuese backed by a rhythm section, with guitar. Rather than the usual swing arrangement for "Accentuate the Positive," Evingson gives it a Ray Charles treatment -- funky with an off-center beat. She is ably assisted by Al Grey's growling trombone, Sanford Moore's saloon piano, and Dave Karr's New Orleans' clarinet. This performance is one of the highlights of an album where picking a highlight is difficult. "All the Things You Are" reveals the supreme confidence these performers have in their individuality coupled with their ease in coalescing with those they share the stage with. Evingson does the lyrics in a midtempo, but Jeanne Arland Peterson's piano is comping faster than Evingson's time while Irv Williams is doing his own thing on tenor, and it works, as does every cut on the album, which is highly recommended. Dave Nathan
Tracklist
1    Some Cats Know    6:06
2    I Love Paris/It's Alright With Me    4:37
3    Close Your Eyes    4:39
4    More Than You Know    4:40
5    Bluesette    5:52
6    I Wanna Be Loved    5:09
7    I've Got The World On A String    4:34
8    Yesterday/Yesterdays    5:05
9    Accentuate The Positive    3:57
10    All The Things You Are    6:04
11    Round Midnight    5:57
12    I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair    6:05
13    Anthropology    3:59
Credits :
Connie Evingson (Vocals); Reuben Ristrom (Guitar); Von Freeman, Dave Karr, Irv Williams (Tenor Saxophone); Doc Severinsen, Gene Adams (Trumpet); Al Grey (Trombone); Toots Thieleman (Harmonica); Sanford Moore, Jimmy Hamilton, Jeanne Arland Peterson (Piano); Jack McDuff (Hammond B-3 organ); Terry Burns, Jay Young, Godry Johnson, Gary Raynor, Ray Brown (Bass); Phil Hey, Joe Pulice (Drums).

CONNIE EVINGSON – Gypsy In My Soul (2004) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

A versatile singer with a warm voice and a quietly swinging style, Connie Evingson explores the usually instrumental Gypsy jazz style during this highly enjoyable project. On various selections she is joined by either Pearl Django, the Clearwater Hot Club, or the Parisota Hot Club, quartets that are sometimes augmented by accordion, vibes, drums, and/or percussion. She performs swing standards, Susannah McCorkle's lyrics to Django Reinhardt's "Nuages," and her own words to "Django's Premonition" (originally known as "Anouman"). The strong repertoire, the instrumental colors, and Evingson's voice are three reasons that Gypsy in My Soul is highly recommended. Scott Yanow  Tracklist :