Karen Mantler and her crew follow up their debut with more of the same: sort-of jazz coupled with way off-kilter pop, all filtered through her bizarre and pervasive sense of humor. The band is the same, featuring the progeny of several famous jazz musicians, and of course Karen's pet cat Arnold is present for all the cover art.
The album starts with an extremely queasy synth, and Karen remarking "nothing is as bad as the flu/torture would be nice/compared to this," before the band slides into a killer slinky groove as she details her bout with the Shanghai-A virus. "I Love Christmas" doesn't quite deliver the sentiment one might expect, with the band trying to convince Karen to actually enjoy Christmas as she focuses on the downside of the holidays (she is eventually won over). The old chestnut "Mean to Me" is given added meaning as the band starts to deride Karen for her harmonica playing. "My Organ" is another highlight, with Mantler professing her love for the title object. The way Mantler uses regular, everyday language and thought is truly unique, and the way the band cooks behind her is in sharp contrast to their seeming disinterest in delivering much by way of backup vocals.
The whole album is a goofy good time, and unlike any other group out there. It's probably too pop for jazzers, and too weird for the pop crowd, but if that sounds intriguing, you'll probably enjoy Karen Mantler. Sean Westergaard
Tracklist :
1 The Flu 5:57
2 I Love Christmas 4:04
3 Let's Have A Baby 6:42
4 My Organ 5:20
5 Au Lait 4:39
6 Waiting 5:05
7 Call A Doctor 4:29
8 Good Luck 4:08
9 I'm Not Such A Bad Guy 5:39
10 Mean To Me 3:34
Arranged By – Steve Weisberg
C Melody Saxophone [C-Melody Saxophone] – Carla Bley
Flugelhorn [Fluegelhorn] – Steve Swallow
Music By, Words By – Fred Ahlert, Roy Turk
Trumpet – Michael Mantler
Credits :
Karen Mantler - Vocals, Harmonica, Organ
Eric Mingus - Vocals
Steven Bernstein - Trumpet
Pablo Calogero - Baritone Saxophone, Flute
Marc Muller - Guitar
Steve Weisberg - Keyboards
Jonathan Sanborn - Bass
Ethan Winogrand - Drums
Michael Mantler - Trumpet (#10)
Carla Bley - C-Melody Saxophone (#10)
Steve Swallow - Flugelhorn (#10)
Saturday, March 23, 2024
KAREN MANTLER — Karen Mantler and Her Cat Arnold Get the Flu (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
LINDA SHARROCK — Confessions (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child 7:45
2. Goodbye 3:38
3. You Didn't Know Me 4:45
4. Sable 5:55
5. Ooh Boy 5:46
6. Prayer 3:22
7. Clair Obscur 3:57
8. Suddenly 5:33
9. You Said You Love Me 3:05
Vocals – Linda Sharrock
Piano – Stephan Oliva
Double Bass – Claude Tchamitchian
Björk Guðmundsdóttir & Tríó Guðmundar Ingólfssonar — Gling-Gló (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Björk's elastic, somersaulting voice is right at home delivering these traditional Icelandic and jazz tunes. Happy songs performed by Björk with the Icelandic jazz group Gudmundar Ingólfssonar Trio really showcase her voice and reveal how her unique singing style shares some common ground with scatting. The trio consists of pianist Gudmundar Ingólfsson (who, contrary to popular rumor, is not Björk's father), Gudmundur Steingrímsson on drums, and Thórdur Högnason on bass. Björk performed with this trio a few times before they recorded Gling Glo, and everyone must've had a good time, because the album captures the group moving through a mixture of jazz numbers and Icelandic songs with a free and easy feel. When Gling Glo was first released in 1990 on the Smekkleysa (Bad Taste) label, it went platinum, becoming the label's best seller. The first 14 songs are from this original issue, while the last two tracks (and the only songs sung in English -- "Ruby Baby" and "I Can't Help Loving That Man") are drawn from a rehearsal recording made a year prior to the album. Joslyn Layne
Tracklist :
1 Gling Gló 2:37
Lyrics By – Kristín Engilbertsdóttir
Music By – Alfreð Clausen
2 Luktar-Gvendur 4:00
Lyrics By – Eiríkur K. Eiríksson
Music By – Nat Simon
3 Kata Rokkar 2:56
Music By, Lyrics By – Theodór Einarsson
4 Pabbi Minn 2:40
Lyrics By – Þorsteinn Sveinsson
Music By – P. Burkhard
5 Brestir Og Brak 3:18
Lyrics By – Jónas Árnason
Music By – Jón Múli Árnason
6 Ástartöfrar 2:43
Music By, Lyrics By – Valdimar Auðunsson
7 Bella Símamær 2:38
Lyrics By – Loftur Guðmundsson
Music By – Mark Fontenoy
8 Litli Tónlistarmaðurinn 3:23
Music By, Lyrics By – 12. September
9 Það Sést Ekki Sætari Mey 4:00
Lyrics By – Loftur Guðmundsson
Music By – Rogers og Hammerstein
10 Bílavísur 2:38
Lyrics By – Jón Sigurðsson
Music By – Holmes
11 Tondeleyo 3:29
Lyrics By – Tómas Guðmundsson
Music By – Sigfús Halldórsson
12 Ég Veit Ei Hvað Skal Segja 3:03
Lyrics By – Loftur Guðmundsson
Music By – Darion, Coleman, Gimbel
13 Í Dansi Með Þér 2:26
Lyrics By – Þorsteinn Sveinsson
Music By – Pablo Beltrani Ruiz
14 Börnin Við Tjörnina 2:46
Music By, Lyrics By – Jenni Jónsson
15 Ruby Baby 4:00
Technician – Georg Magnússon
Written-By – J. Leiber / M. Stoller
16 I Can't Help Loving That Man 3:40
Technician – Georg Magnússon
Written-By – Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II
Credits :
Bass – Þórður Högnason
Drums, Maracas, Bells [Reindeer] – Guðmundur Steingrímsson
Piano, Tambourine – Guðmundur Ingólfsson
Vocals, Harmonica – Björk Guðmundsdóttir
REBECCA MARTIN — The Growing Season (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Vocalist/guitarist Rebecca Martin is essentially a pop-folk vocalist, as indicated on this recording of introspective songs that sidles closer to a contemporary singer/songwriter style. To her credit, though, she has surrounded herself with such top-notch contemporary jazz artists as Kurt Rosenwinkel, Larry Grenadier, and Brian Blade. Martin has a fragile voice that is part Laura Nyro, part Stevie Nicks, and part Joni Mitchell. A quiet, somewhat restless edge, middling soul inflections, and an inward insular sense of oneness identify her music and lyrics. Rosenwinkel wholly contributes to the arrangements and sound sculptures, playing his typical electric and acoustic guitars but also acoustic piano, amplified Fender Rhodes piano, and even vibraphone. Grenadier and Blade are peerless partners in linear rhythms and steady-rolling waves of liquid pop and light rock beats. Martin should play up to the strengths of these musicians but succeeds best when laying back, as on the light Brazilian love song "A Million Miles," a cryptic and elusive "Make the Days Run Fast," the question-and-answer tune "Free at Last," and the prettiest piece, "The Space in a Song to Think," with a repeated four-note theme emphasizing two guitars and Rosenwinkel on the Rhodes. Her most forceful façade, "After Midnight" in rock mode, takes on the perspective of an observer; "To Prove Them Wrong" in waltz time with Rosenwinkel on acoustic piano (a treat!) is her premier cut of personal deep emotion; and Martin's solo voice with guitar during "Pieces" expresses both revelation and reconciliation. The overall range of styles is somewhat limited, but the last two songs deviate on different levels. "You're Older" speaks broadly and harshly of the aging process, while "Talking" (co-written by Jesse Harris) is equally off-putting, regretful, and more about not talking. Martin has presented songs that for some will be hit and miss, while others might find this fairly consistent on the drama meter, albeit idiosyncratic. Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist :
1 The Space In A Song To Think 4:26
2 A Million Miles 2:56
3 Just A Boy 3:30
4 To Prove Them Wrong 3:43
5 What Feels Like Home 3:18
6 Lullaby 2:58
7 As For You, Raba 4:10
8 After Midnight 3:45
9 Make The Days Run Fast 3:00
10 Free At Last 5:19
11 Pieces 2:24
12 Talking 3:29
13 You're Older 4:29
Credits :
Double Bass [Acoustic Bass], Electric Bass – Larry Grenadier
Drums, Percussion – Brian Blade
Electric Guitar, Piano, Guitar [Nylon String Guitar], Keyboards, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Piano [Tack Piano], Vibraphone – Kurt Rosenwinkel
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Rebecca Martin
SARAH JANE MORRIS — Sarah Jane Morris (1989) FLAC (image+.cue) lossless
Tracklist :
1 Loving A Dream 4:28
Written-By – L. Holland, S. J. Morris
2 Me And Mrs Jones 5:19
Violin – Wilf Gibson
Written-By – C. Gilbert, K. Gamble / L. Huff
3 I'll Be Your Angel 5:18
Written-By – J. Skinner, S. J. Morris
4 Sunny 4:56
Written-By – B. Hebb
5 She's Leaving Home 5:55
Written-By – J. Lennon/P. McCartney
6 Can't Get To Sleep Without You 5:07
Written-By – A. Gavin, S.J. Morris
7 This Ain't Livin' 5:27
Written-By – A. Gavin, S. J. Morris
8 This Will Be 3:19
Written-By – C. Jackson, M. Yancy
9 Alone Again Naturally 3:38
Violin – Wilf Gibson
Written-By – G. O'Sullivan
10 The Rains Have Failed Again 7:06
Written-By – A. Gavin, S. J. Morris
11 Hello Like Before 5:31
Violin – Wilf Gibson
Written-By – B. Withers, J. Collins
12 Me And Mrs Jones (Minneapolis Version) 5:38
Violin – Wilf Gibson
Written-By – K. Gamble / L. Huff
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
REBECCA KILGORE — Harlem Butterfly : A Remembrance of Maxine Sullivan (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1. Harlem Butterfly (Mercer) - 3:56
2. How'dja Like to Love Me? (Lane-Loesser) - 3:36
3. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter (Ahlert-Young) - 4:53
4. Don't Save Your Love (For a Rainy Day) (Spina-Bullock) - 3:30
5. Keepin' Out of Mischief Now (Waller-Razaf) - 3:27
6. Someday Sweetheart (Spikes-Spikes) - 4:16
7. That's What I Hate About Love (Arlen-Koehler) - 3:53
8. When a Woman Loves a Man (Hanighen-Jenkins) - 3:31
9. Enjoy Yourself (Sigman-Magidson) - 3:46
10. Harlem Butterfly (take 1) (Mercer) - 4:05
11. A Hundred Years from Today (Young-Washington) - 4:11
12. Get Out and Get Under the Moon (Shay-Tobias-Jerome) - 6:09
13. The Lady's in Love with You (Lane-Loesser) - 3:51
14. Legalize My Name (Arlen-Mercer) - 3:48
15. Massachusetts (Roberts-Razaf) - 4:02
16. We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye (Woods) - 3:43
17. As Long as I Live (Arlen-Koehler) - 4:04
18. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (Barris-Koehler-Moll) - 4:54
Credits :
Rebecca Kilgore - Vocals
Bobby Gordon - Clarinet
Chris Dawson - Piano
Hal Smith - Drums
REBEKKA BAKKEN — Always On My Mind (2023) FLAC (tracks), lossless
Tracklist :
1 Little Rebel 3:20
Bass – Tor Egil Kreken
Composed By, Lyrics By – Andrew Matheson, Casino Steel
Drums – Rune Arnesen
Guitar – Eivind Aarset
Piano, Organ – Jørn Øien
2 Red Right Hand 4:01
Composed By, Lyrics By – Michael John Harvey, Nicholas Edward Cave, Thomas Wydler
Drums – Rune Arnesen
Guitar, Bass – Eivind Aarset
3 Break My Heart Again 4:33
Bass – Tor Egil Kreken
Composed By, Lyrics By – Finneas O'Connell
Drums – Rune Arnesen
Guitar – Eivind Aarset
Keyboards – Torjus Vierli
Piano – Jørn Øien
4 Why 5:36
Composed By, Lyrics By – Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart
Drums – Rune Arnesen
Guitar – Eivind Aarset
Piano, Keyboards – Torjus Vierli
5 Vincent (Starry Starry Night) 4:47
Bass – Tor Egil Kreken
Composed By, Lyrics By – Don McLean
Drums – Rune Arnesen
Guitar – Eivind Aarset
Piano – Jørn Øien
6 Here Comes The Flood 5:25
Composed By, Lyrics By – Peter Brian Gabriel
Drums – Rune Arnesen
Guitar – Eivind Aarset
Piano, Keyboards – Torjus Vierli
7 We Don‘t Eat 4:50
Bass – Tor Egil Kreken
Composed By, Lyrics By – James Vincent McMorrow
Drums – Rune Arnesen
Guitar – Eivind Aarset
Keyboards – Torjus Vierli
Piano – Jørn Øien
8 Louisiana 1927 4:01
Bass – Tor Egil Kreken
Composed By, Lyrics By – Randy Newman
Drums – Rune Arnesen
Guitar – Eivind Aarset
Piano, Organ – Jørn Øien
9 Love Hurts 4:50
Bass – Tor Egil Kreken
Composed By, Lyrics By – Boudleaux Bryant
Drums – Rune Arnesen
Guitar – Eivind Aarset
Piano, Organ – Jørn Øien
10 Where Teardrops Fall 3:08
Composed By, Lyrics By – Bob Dylan
Guitar – Eivind Aarset
Piano, Keyboards – Torjus Vierli
11 We All Fall In Love Sometimes 4:00
Bass – Tor Egil Kreken
Composed By, Lyrics By – Bernie Taupin, Elton John
Drums – Rune Arnesen
Piano – Jørn Øien
12 Brand New Angel 4:06
Bass – Tor Egil Kreken
Composed By, Lyrics By – Gregory Dane Brown
Drums – Rune Arnesen
Guitar – Eivind Aarset
Piano, Organ – Jørn Øien
13 (Everything I Do) I Do It For You 4:27
Bass – Tor Egil Kreken
Composed By, Lyrics By – Bryan Adams, Michael Kamen, Robert John Lange
Drums – Rune Arnesen
Guitar – Eivind Aarset
Piano – Jørn Øien
14 Yesterday 3:29
Composed By, Lyrics By – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Piano – Jørn Øien
15 It Must Have Been Love 5:23
Composed By, Lyrics By – Per Hakan Gessle
Guitar – Eivind Aarset
Piano – Jesper Nordenstrom
Credits :
Arranged By, Producer, Vocals [Uncredited] – Rebekka Bakken
JANET KLEIN — Come Into My Parlor (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
One of those rare albums that puts forth a specific set of aesthetic criteria and then fulfills them completely, Janet Klein's 1998 debut Come Into My Parlor is a joy. Klein, accompanied by her own ukulele and occasional unobtrusive bits of guitar or accordion, interprets 26 songs from the teens through the '30s. The program includes standards ("You're the Cream in My Coffee," an exquisite version of Rodgers & Hart's "Mountain Greenery"), near-forgotten pop songs (the absolutely adorable, almost Betty Boop-like "What a Night for Spooning" is possibly the album's highest point), and a small handful of racy novelties. Most of these songs now mostly sound as innocent and sweet as once-shocking French postcards from the era look, despite double-entendre titles like "If I Can't Sell It, I'll Keep Sittin' on It" and "Banana in Your Fruit Basket." On the other hand, the purring "Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl" ("I need a little sugar in my bowl/I need a hot dog in my roll") still sounds both downright rude and more than a little sexy. The most impressive thing about Come Into My Parlor is that, unlike most late-'90s exercises in nostalgia, like the thankfully short-lived lounge and swing revivals, this album is completely free of both smarmy hipsterism and attempts to modernize the material. Klein obviously genuinely loves this music, and she sings it with both the historical reverence of the archivist and the unfettered joy of a person doing exactly as she pleases. Contemporary pop albums by the Squirrel Nut Zippers, John Southworth, and Rufus Wainwright incorporated elements of this pre-rock style of pop music, but Come Into My Parlor is an irony-free presentation of this still-delightful music in its purest form. Stewart Mason
Tracklist:
1 In A Great Big Way 2:01
Written-By – McHugh & Fields
2 Mountain Greenery 3:27
Written-By – Rodgers & Hart
3 What A Night For Spooning 2:22
Written-By – MacDonald, Dreyer
4 Wasting My Love On You 3:18
Written-By – Warren
5 Tonight You Belong To Me 1:16
Written-By – Rose, David
6 Her Beaus Are Only Rainbows 1:41
Written-By – Bryan, Meyer
7 If You Want The Rainbow You Must Have The Rain 1:44
Written-By – Rose, Dixon, Levant
8 I Like You 1:07
Written-By – Iona, Koki
9 Nasty Man 1:58
Written-By – Caesar, Yellen, Henderson
10 Happy Today, Sad Tomorrow 2:11
Written-By – Livingstone
11 Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Love 2:26
Written-By – Robin, Rainger
12 That's You Baby 1:35
Written-By – Gotler, Conrad, Mitchell
13 If I Can't Sell It I'll Keep Sitting On It 1:16
Written-By – Hill, Razaf
14 Banana In Your Fruit Basket 3:23
Written-By – Carter
15 My Wife Went Away 2:32
Written-By – Poole
16 Regular Man 1:42
Written-By – Hollaender
17 Baby It Must Be Love 2:03
Written-By – White, Robinson
18 Naughty Lola 1:27
Written-By – Hollaender
19 Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl 2:11
Written-By – Williams, Small, Byrns
20 Oh You Dog 1:27
Written-By – Calloway, Hoover
21 You're The Cream In My Coffee 1:02
Written-By – DeSylva, Brown and Henderson
22 Russian Lullaby 1:16
Written-By – Berlin
23 Wooden Wedding 1:20
Written-By – Weill
24 Kashmiri Song 2:24
Written-By – Woodforde-Finden
25 Take A Picture Of The Moon 2:31
Written-By – Young, Little
26 Love Is A Boomerang 1:00
Written By – Wilson
Credits :
Accordion, Mandolin, Harmonica, Triangle – Robert Loveless
Guitar [Scintillating Guitar Sounds] – John Reynolds
Vocals, Ukulele – Janet Klein
ROSEANNA VITRO — Catchin' Some Rays : The Music of Ray Charles (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Roseanna Vitro is a very talented and versatile singer, as she proves throughout this highly enjoyable set. Vitro performs 14 songs (including a pair of two-song medleys) associated with Ray Charles. Although jazz has long been only a small part of Charles' music, the tunes are transformed into swinging and soulful jazz by Vitro. The instrumentation changes throughout the date, but often features pianist Ken Werner (who duets with the singer on a medley of "You Don't Know Me" and "Ruby"), trumpeter Eddie Henderson, and tenorman David "Fathead" Newman, among others; some of the songs utilize a larger than usual band. Highlights include "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'," a swinging "One Mint Julep," "I Don't Need No Doctor" and "Lonely Avenue." Thankfully, Roseanna Vitro avoids many of Brother Ray's best-known hits (including "Georgia On My Mind") in favor of songs better suited to her style and to this setting. A continually interesting set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Unchain My Heart 5:27
2 Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin' 5:20
3 One Mint Julep 4:40
4 Night Time Is The Right Time / But, On The Other Hand 6:28
5 Them That's Got 6:16
6 I Don't Need No Doctor 4:41
7 Tell Me You'll Wait For Me 5:13
8 Sticks And Stones 4:08
9 The Danger Zone 5:24
10 Roll With Me Baby 3:03
11 Lonely Avenue 3:43
12 You Don't Know Me / Ruby 6:23
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Chieli Minucci (tracks: 6)
Alto Saxophone – Dick Oatts (tracks: 5), Ed Joffe (tracks: 3, 9)
Baritone Saxophone – Gary Smulyan (tracks: 3, 5, 9)
Bass – Ed Howard (tracks: 1, 4 to 6, 8, 11), Ray Drummond (tracks: 2, 3, 7, 9, 10)
Congas – Mark Johnson (11) (tracks: 6)
Drums – Al Foster (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 11), Tim Horner (tracks: 2, 3, 7 to 9, 10)
Flute – Mark Johnson (tracks: 6)
Guitar – Freddie Bryant (tracks: 3, 9, 10), Mitch Stein (tracks: 1, 6, 8)
Percussion – Mino Cinelu (tracks: 1, 3, 6)
Piano – Ken Werner (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 12)
Strings – Miri Ben-Ari (tracks: 2, 7), Todd Reynolds (tracks: 2, 7), Werner Philharmonic (tracks: 2, 7)
Tenor Saxophone – David "Fathead" Newman (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Dick Oatts (tracks: 3, 5, 9), Mark Johnson (11) (tracks: 1, 3, 8)
Trumpet – Dave Ballou (tracks: 3, 9), Eddie Henderson (tracks: 1, 8), Ingrid Jensen (tracks: 3, 5, 9)
Vibraphone – Ken Werner (tracks: 2)
Vocals – Roseanna Vitro
ROBIN McKELLE — Modern Antique (2008) APE (image+.cue), lossless
Robin McKelle is a California based singer who enjoys the big-band sound, as well as old-time singers like Peggy Lee and Dinah Washington, reflective in her voice. She has a slightly sultry, at times girlish sound that is striving for vintage sophistication, but also relies on contemporary song stylist precepts. She's not Norah Jones, Diana Krall, or Joni Mitchell by a long shot, and not trying to be. She sounds quite similar to Detroit based vocalist Kathy Kosins in her phrasing and affectations. The problem with this recording, her third, is that it is way overproduced, not in a contemporary synthesizer soaked way, for all of the arrangements are acoustically derived. But the rather large horn section and strings dominate this stylized singer on too many occasions. It will be good someday to hear her with a much smaller ensemble, but meanwhile, you have a fairly good representation of what McKelle sounds like doing a Las Vegas type show set. The program starts off smart enough with of a swinging and rousing version of Steve Miller's "Abracadabra," with McKelle tossing in some good scat singing. A montuno/Afro-Cuban take of "Comes Love" shows the sexy influence of Lee, while the slight contemporary light rock beat tacked on to "I Want to Be Loved" is a popular concession, but the orchestration drenches this tune. Veteran tenor saxophone soloist Pete Christlieb shines on the string infused easy swinger "Cheek to Cheek," while flugelhorn and trumpet guest Joe Magnarelli is strong and supple for the breezy "Day by Day" and stands out during the very complementary chart of "Make Someone Happy." McKelle scats again and quite effectively for "Lullaby of Birdland" with interesting staggered phrasings above a less orchestrated backdrop -- a good thing for her. She also plays piano while singing on her original, the closer "Remember," a pop ballad with strings and laden with the otherwise tasteful guitarist Larry Kuhns. This band has some other good players like trumpeter Wayne Bergeron, saxophonists Bob Shepard or Andy Snitzer, and bassist Reggie McBride, but their individualism is all but smothered. This CD will appeal to a certain audience, but there's nothing new or innovative, save the occasional vocal excursions of the clearly talented McKelle. Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist:
1 Abracadabra 3:31
Written-By – Steve Miller
2 Comes Love 3:22
Written-By – Charles Tobias, Lew Brown, Sam H. Stept
3 I Want To Be Loved 3:36
Written-By – Billy Rose, Edward Heyman, John W. Green
4 Lover Man 4:40
Written-By – James Davis, James Sherman, Roger Ramirez
5 Cheek To Cheek 3:44
Written-By – Irving Berlin
6 Day By Day 3:23
Written-By – Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston, Sammy Cahn
7 Save Your Love For Me 6:14
Written-By – Buddy Woodrow Johnson
8 Go To Hell 2:50
Written By – Morris Bailey Jr.
9 Lullaby Of Birdland 3:26
Written-By – George David Weiss, George Shearing
10 Make Someone Happy 4:42
Written-By – Betty Comdon, Adolph Green, Jule Styne
11 Remember 4:39
Written-By – Robin McKelle
Credits :
Arranged By – Alain Mallet (tracks: 4, 9, 11), Chris Barron (tracks: 1, 7), Gordon Goodwin (tracks: 5, 10), Oded Lev-Ari (tracks: 4,9), Randy Waldman (tracks: 6), Robin McKelle (tracks: 3, 4), Willie Murillo (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 8)
Drums – Mike Velario (tracks: 4, 7), Reggie McBride
Drums, Percussion – Bernie Dressel, Nathaniel Morton
Flugelhorn – Joe Magnareli (tracks: 6)
Flute – Mark Visher (tracks: 3)
French Horn – Daniel Ondarza (tracks: 3, 6, 10)
Guitar – Larry Kuhns (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 8, 10)
Oboe – Glen Berger (tracks: 3)
Piano – Alain Mallet (tracks: 4, 7), Quinn Johnson, Robin McKelle (tracks: 10)
Saxophone – Bob Sheppard, Dan Higgins, Pete Christlieb (tracks: 5), Ray Herrmann
Strings – Adriana Zoppo, Cameron Patrick, Christine Wu, David Stenske, Ira Glansbeek, James Hanna, John Whitenberg, Kathleen Robertson, Kirsten Fife, Miriam Mayer, Peggy Baldwin, Peter Kent, Robin Ross, Sarah O'Brien, Susan Chapman
Trombone – Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas, Craig Gosnell, Jason Thor
Trumpet – Don Clark (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10), Gary Grant, Joe Magnareli (tracks: 10), Larry Hall, Willie Murillo
Trumpet [Lead] – Wayne Bergeron (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 to 10)
Vocals – Robin McKelle
Sunday, March 17, 2024
KRISTIN BERARDI — Where or When (2015) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1. Where or When (4:38)
2. Lucky 13 (4:47)
3. Suzanne (6:13)
4. Born to Be Blue (5:10)
5. Brad (6:16)
6. Unity Village (5:07)
7. Cool Baby (4:46)
8. Limbo (10:13)
9. Is It OK for Clowns to Cry? (5:08)
10. Young at Heart (4:42)
Credits :
Kristin Berardi - Vocals
Steve Newcomb - Piano
James Sherlock - Guitar
Julien Wilson - Tenor Saxophone
Sam Anning - Bass 
JILL BARBER — Homemaker (2023) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Jill Barber returns to her folk roots with her new album, "Homemaker", delivering ten quietly profound songs about the complexities of motherhood, marriage, and the struggle to feel at home in one's own identity. Having spent the last 20 years playing nearly every folk and jazz festival in Canada and captivating audiences across the globe, touring Japan, Europe, Australia, Mexico, South America, the USA and the Middle East, It was over the past few years that Jill began to feel an increasing disparity between her public image and the reality of her domestic life as an exhausted wife and mother. Whereas her most recent albums have been bathed in lush string arrangements, "Homemaker" sees emotions laid bare, with a stripped-down production style reminiscent of her acclaimed debut Oh Heart and double Juno Award nominated follow-up For All Time.
Written and recorded in her adopted hometown of Vancouver where she lives with her husband and two children, Homemaker is the first record that sees Jill in the role of a producer, co-producing with Erik Neilsen, and features some of Vancouver's top session players.
'Homemaker" is an intentional push-back against the worn-out notion of what it means to be 'just a homemaker'. It is a statement about the humility and strength that it takes to do the meaningful work of creating a home for others, while still holding space for your own dreams." web
Tracklist:
1. Instant Cash for Gold (3:07)
2. Beautiful Life (3:22)
3. Homemaker (4:14)
4. Joint Account (feat. Slow Leaves) (3:07)
5. Woman of My Own Dreams (3:41)
6. Hell No (3:27)
7. My Mother’s Hand (3:41)
8. Big Eyes (3:12)
9. Helium (3:50)
10. Still in Love (3:20) 
KATE McGARRY— Mercy Streets (2005) APE (image+.cue), lossless
On Mercy Streets, vocalist Kate McGarry seamlessly combines music from many disparate sources into a cohesive, emotional experience. "Mercy Street," written by Peter Gabriel, is a solid display of her folk-pop sensibilities in an arrangement that clearly sets her version apart from the river of reworked pop hit arrangements. McGarry's vocal style is soft, subtle, and sensitive, and provides a welcomed textural contrast and stylistic variety to "State of Emergency" and "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets." This is not a typical folk-jazz offering. With contributions from pianist and labelmate Fred Hersch on two tracks, the music is sometimes carefully deconstructed and put back together, now including elements of jazz and versatile drums and percussion from Kenny Wollesen. Overall, Kate McGarry has amazing articulation and offers an effective set that bridges the sonic chasm between folk-pop and jazz. Paula Edelstein
Tracklist :
1 Chelsea Morning 3:42
Written-By – J. Mitchell
2 Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets 5:24
Written-By – J. Ross, R. Adler
3 How Deep Is The Ocean 6:29
Written-By – I. Berlin
4 But Not For Me 2:26
Written-By – G. Gershwin, I. Gershwin
5 Mercy Street 5:42
Written-By – P. Gabriel
6 Joga (State Of Emergency) 5:21
Written-By – Bjork, Sjon
7 Snow Picnic 1:51
Written-By – K. Ganz
8 Aquelas Coisas Todas 4:36
Written-By – T. Horta
9 Stars 5:33
Written-By – F. Hersch, N. Winstone
10 Trouble Of The World 5:06
Arranged By – K. McGarry
11 Going In 3:13
Written-By – K. McGarry
12 Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans 3:57
Written-By – E. DeLange, L. Alter
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Keith Ganz, Steve Cardenas (tracks: 2, 5)
Bass – Sean Smith
Drums, Percussion – Kenny Wollesen
Electric Guitar – Steve Cardenas
Piano – Fred Hersch (tracks: 6, 9)
Vocals – Kate McGarry
HOLLY COLE — Holly (2018) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
This a great album from Holly Cole. An astute choice of classic and optimistic songs, arranged in a gentle, swinging style. Cole inhabits these songs beautifully, and I'm sure they will inhabit my listening space for years to come.
Tracklist :
1 I'm Beginning To See The Light 3:00
Bass – Ben Street
Drums – Justin Faulkner
Guitar – Ed Cherry
Piano – Larry Goldings
Trombone – Wycliffe Gordon
Written-By – Don George, Duke Ellington, Harry James, Johnny Hodges
2 Your Mind Is On Vacation 3:22
Arranged By – Holly Cole
Bass, Arranged By – David Piltch
Drums, Arranged By – Davide Direnzo
Piano, Arranged By – Aaron Davis
Written-By – Mose Allison
3 I Was Doing Alright 2:55
Bass – Ben Street
Drums – Justin Faulkner
Guitar – Ed Cherry
Piano – Larry Goldings
Tenor Saxophone – Scott Robinson
Trombone – Wycliffe Gordon
Written-By – George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin
4 It Could Happen To You 3:39
Piano – Larry Goldings
Written-By – James van Heusen, Johnny Burke
5 Ain't That A Kick In The Head 3:13
Arranged By – Holly Cole
Bass, Arranged By – David Piltch
Drums, Arranged By – Davide Direnzo
Flute, Arranged By – John Johnson
Piano, Arranged By – Aaron Davis
Written-By – Sammy Cahn/Jimmy van Heusen
6 Teach Me Tonight 4:17
Bass – Ben Street
Drums – Justin Faulkner
Organ – Larry Goldings
Written-By – Gene DePaul, Sammy Kahn
7 We've Got A World That Swings 2:46
Bass – Ben Street
Drums – Justin Faulkner
Guitar – Ed Cherry
Piano – Larry Goldings
Tenor Saxophone, Cornet – Scott Robinson
Written-By – Lil Mattis, Louis Yule Brown
8 They Can't Take That Away From Me 3:40
Bass – Ben Street
Drums – Justin Faulkner
Guitar – Ed Cherry
Piano – Larry Goldings
Tenor Saxophone – Scott Robinson
Written-By – George Gershwin/ira Gershwin
9 Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime 4:21
Arranged By – Holly Cole
Bass, Arranged By – David Piltch
Piano, Arranged By – Aaron Davis
Written-By – Irving Taylor, Ken Lane
10 I Could Write A Book 3:20
Bass – Ben Street
Drums – Justin Faulkner
Guitar – Ed Cherry
Piano – Larry Goldings
Trombone – Wycliffe Gordon
Written-By – Lorenz Hart/Richard Rodgers
11 Lazy Afternoon 5:02
Drums – Justin Faulkner
Guitar – Ed Cherry
Organ – Larry Goldings
Written-By – Jerome Moross, John Latouche
Credits :
Arranged By – Larry Goldings (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6 to 8, 10, 11)
Lead Vocals – Holly Cole
LAURA FYGI — Bewitched = クロース･イナフ･フォー･ラヴ (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1. It's Crazy (4:07)
2. How Did He Look (3:02)
3. Let There Be Love (2:50)
4. Close Enough for Love (4:12)
5. The End of a Love Affair (4:25)
6. Bewitched (6:19)
7. I Wish You Love (3:07)
8. You've Changed (3:18)
9. I Only Have Eyes for You (4:19)
10. A Mark on Your Mind (3:56)
11. I Love You for Sentimental Reasons (3:52)
12. Maybe September (4:18)
13. Do It Again (2:34)
14. More Love (3:59)
15. Les Feuilles Mortes (4:22)
Thursday, March 14, 2024
DIANA KRALL — Wallflower : The Complete Sessions (2015) SHM-CD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1 California Dreamin' 3:17
Acoustic Bass – Christian McBride
Acoustic Guitar – Ramon Stagnaro
Arranged By – David Foster, William Ross
Backing Vocals – Graham Nash, Stephen Stills
Electric Guitar – Michael Thompson
Keyboards – David Foster
Synthesizer – Jochem van der Saag
Written-By – John Phillips, Michelle Phillips
2 Desperado 3:30
Arranged By – David Foster, William Ross
Drums – Karriem Riggins
Piano – David Foster
Synthesizer – Jochem van der Saag
Vocals – Diana Krall
Written-By – Don Henley, Glenn Frey
3 Supestar 4:17
Acoustic Bass – Christian McBride
Arranged By – David Foster, William Ross
Drums – Karriem Riggins
Piano – David Foster
Synthesizer – Jochem van der Saag
Vocals – Diana Krall
Written-By – Bonnie Bramlett, Leon Russell
4 Alone Again (Naturally) 3:50
Arranged By – Chris Walden, David Foster
Bass – Dennis Crouch
Featuring – Michael Bublé
Guitar – Dean Parks
Piano – David Foster
Programmed By – Jochem van der Saag
Vocals – Diana Krall
Written-By – Gilbert O'Sullivan
5 Wallflower 3:05
Arranged By – Chris Walden, David Foster
Featuring – Blake Mills
Guitar – Blake Mills
Piano – Diana Krall
Vocals – Diana Krall
Written-By – Bob Dylan
6 If I Take You Home Tonight 3:53
Arranged By – David Foster, William Ross
Bass – Nathan East
Drums – Jim Keltner
Guitar – Dean Parks
Piano – David Foster
Programmed By – Jochem van der Saag
Vocals – Diana Krall
Written-By – Paul McCartney
7 I Can't Tell You Why 3:40
Acoustic Guitar – Ramon Stagnaro
Arranged By – David Foster, William Ross
Backing Vocals – Timothy B. Schmit
Drums – Karriem Riggins
Vocals – Diana Krall
Written-By – Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Timothy B. Schmit
8 Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word 4:11
Arranged By – David Foster, William Ross
Piano – David Foster
Programmed By – Jochem van der Saag
Vocals – Diana Krall
Written-By – Elton John & Bernie Taupin
9 Operator (That's Not The Way It Feels) 3:41
Acoustic Bass – Dennis Crouch
Acoustic Guitar – Michael Thompson, Ramon Stagnaro
Arranged By – David Foster
Backing Vocals – Graham Nash, Stephen Stills
Drums – Karriem Riggins
Electric Guitar – Stephen Stills
Piano – David Foster
Vocals – Diana Krall
Written-By – Jim Croce
10 I'm Not In Love 3:52
Acoustic Bass – Christian McBride
Arranged By – David Foster, William Ross
Drums – Jim Keltner
Electric Guitar – Michael Thompson
Piano – David Foster
Synthesizer – Jochem van der Saag
Vocals – Diana Krall
Written-By – Eric Stewart, Graham Gouldman
11 Feels Like Home 4:21
Acoustic Bass – Christian McBride
Acoustic Guitar – Michael Thompson
Arranged By – David Foster, William Ross
Drums – Jim Keltner
Featuring – Bryan Adams, Bryan Adams
Piano – David Foster
Synthesizer – Jochem van der Saag
Vocals – Diana Krall
Written-By – Randy Newman
12 Don't Dream It's Over 3:36
Arranged By – Vince Mendoza
Drums – Jim Keltner
Guitar – Michael Thompson
Keyboards – David Foster
Synthesizer – Jochem van der Saag
Vocals – Diana Krall
Written-By – Neil Finn
– BONUS TRACK –
13 In My Life 3:51
Written-By – John Lennon / Paul McCartney
14 Yeh Yeh 3:06
Featuring – Georgie Fame
Written-By – Jon Hendricks, Pat Patrick, Rodgers Grant
15 Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest World (Live) 3:42
Written-By – Bernie Taupin, Elton John
16 Wallflower (Live) 3:10
Written-By – Bob Dylan
17 A Case Of You 4:55
Written-By – Joni Mitchell
18 If You Could Read My Mind 3:45
Featuring – Sarah McLachlan
Written-By – Gordon Lightfoot
19 Everybody's Talkin' 3:36
Featuring – Vince Gill
Written-By – Fred Neil
20 Heart Of Gold 2:51
Written-By – Neil Young
ANJANI — Blue Alert (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
This is torch singing on an entirely new level. Her piano playing is carved in Bill Evans harmonics, and the melodic invention that comes simultaneously from George Shearing, Ahmad Jamal, and even Vince Guaraldi. Yes, the music is inherently sexy, but that's only the surface. Skin is the gross vehicle that is easily witnessed and categorized; spirit is the house it comes from. In "Innermost Door," with a an easy, skeletal blues frame, she brings home the real grain and hope of heartbreak. How many singers can get away with "I must go back to the place it began/To the place where I was a woman/And you were a man/If you come with me/I'll never begin...." Right, this is a journey; it goes deeper and deeper still. There is no straight line -- this music is the place where, as the old Portuguese proverb states, "God writes straight with crooked lines." Sex, sin, redemption, love, revelation, regret, gratitude, and the coming together and breaking apart of human relations as the spirit grows or shrinks or hides are emboldened to endure and transform according to circumstance because nothing is coincidence.
The beautifully spare instrumentation on this album is a wonder. On "Half the Perfect World" she plays a beautiful jazz figure, gently swinging, on the classical guitar, underscoring a most beautiful song of memory and loss as absorbed in the present. In "Blue Alert" there is a baritone saxophone; on the country-tinged lounge tune "Never Got to Love You" Thomas' piano waltz is accompanied by the lap steel of ace studio musician Greg Leisz and Danny Frankel's soft touch on the drum kit. There are strings on "Crazy to Love You" and a clarinet and electric keyboards on the amazing "Thanks for the Dance," one of the most startling songs on this set -- and which also closes it. The sparse arrangements and instrumentation are important because Thomas' voice is an instrument in itself. It goes beyond the words and the melodies that carry it to the fore; it's a voice from the belly, not so much deep as full and in its disciplined way a primal spirit voice.
"The Mist," another waltz, sounds like a Celtic folk song sung from the face of the hills into the sea: "As the mist leaves no scar/On the dark green hill/So my body leaves no scar/On you, nor ever will/As the many nights endure/Without a moon or star/So we will endure/When one is gone and far...." Finally, there is "Thanks for the Dance," an old-timey lounge tune. It feels like closing time on love, but love endures and is acknowledged as something so much deeper that cannot be understood in the moment: "And there's nothing to do/But to wonder if you/Are as hopeless as me/And as decent/We're joined in the spirit/Joined at the hip/Joined in the panic/Wondering if/We've come to some sort/Of agreement...." The agreement, the partnership between Thomas and Cohen, is thus the blossoming of a brave artist who dares to work with one of the greatest artists of the last and current century and establish a voice unmistakably her own: profound, unfettered, sensual, spiritual, and wonderfully, poetically impure -- in other words, both elegant and tattered, spiritually drunken. Above all it is a truly honest voice that articulates the heart's sometimes rough, often confounding, and always cryptic language, with elegance and a grace that only reveals the terrible and beautiful truth of itself in the emptiness of waking at three a.m. alone. Highly recommended. Tom Jurek
Tracklist :
1. Blue Alert (5:40)
2. Innermost Door (3:17)
3. The Golden Gate (3:09)
4. Half The Perfect World (4:06)
5. Nightingale (3:01)
6. No One After You (4:10)
7. Never Got To Love You (4:37)
8. The Mist (3:09)
9. Crazy To Love You (4:51)
10. Thanks For The Dance (4:39)
Credits :
Vocals, Arranged By, Producer, Songwriter – Anjani
KANDACE SPRINGS — Soul Eyes (2016) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Kandace Springs' career started rolling when her father, session vocalist Scat Springs, handed a demo to Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken. Industry veterans of 30-plus years, from Shannon to Rihanna, the duo signed her to their production company, which led to an audition for Blue Note president Don Was. The Nashville native sang "I Can't Make You Love Me," popularized by Bonnie Raitt, whose recording just happened to be co-produced with Was. Blue Note deal secured, she uploaded a cover of Sam Smith's "Stay with Me" that prompted Prince to have her play at Paisley Park during the 30th anniversary celebration of Purple Rain. Springs made her recorded debut a couple months later. Co-written with the likes of Rogers, Sturken, and Pop & Oak, the self-titled EP of hip-hop soul primed her for placement in a class with similarly classic-meets-contemporary artists like Jazmine Sullivan and Elle Varner. It left Springs feeling that her sound should instead reflect her early jazz influences with stripped-down live instrumentation -- a view shared by continued supporter Prince. Soul Eyes achieves that objective. Produced by Larry Klein with a constant rhythm section of Vinnie Colaiuta and Dan Lutz -- with additional instrumentation from the likes of Dean Parks, Pete Kuzma, and Terence Blanchard -- it's all shaped to place Springs front and center. The approach is emphasized by the title song, a sensitive update of Mal Waldron's 60-year-old standard that showcases Springs' measured piano playing as much as it does her lithe, lightly fiery voice. Apart from that and a loose but succinct version of War's "The World Is a Ghetto" -- the second-oldest composition -- the reinterpreted songs are relatively modern, highlighted by Shelby Lynne's "Thought It Would Be Easier." Springs co-wrote three cuts, the best and most energetic of which is easily "Novocaine Heart." Due to its neatly serpentine groove and inquisitive, positive outlook, lovers of late-'70s/early-'80s crossover jazz could easily be forgiven for thinking it was first waxed by Judy Roberts or Googie & Tom Coppola. The album closes with the lone song Springs wrote by herself, a striking piano ballad. As natural as the album feels, Springs seems eager to impress her elders and stay true to her inspirations, rather than build from them -- like she's bottling some of her energy and individuality. Less straight-ahead, more distinctive releases are hopefully in her future. Andy Kellman
Tracklist
1 Talk To Me 3:50
Music By – J. Harris
2 Soul Eyes 3:22
Featuring – Terence Blanchard
Music By – M. Waldron
3 Place To Hide 3:44
Music By – G. Kearns, J. Tzuke, L. Silvas
4 Thought It Would Be Easier 3:38
Music By – B. Bottrell, S. Lynne
5 Novocaine Heart 4:43
Music By – B. Alexander, C. Sturken, E. Rogers, K. Springs
6 Neither Old Nor Young 3:07
Music By – J. Harris
7 Too Good To Last 5:01
Featuring – Terence Blanchard
Music By – G. Wells, K. Springs, L. Robbins
8 Fall Guy 3:46
Music By – C. Sturken, E. Rogers, J. Harris, K. Springs
9 The World Is A Ghetto 4:25
Music By – B.B. Dickerson, C. Miller, H. Brown, H. Scott, L. Oscar, L. Jordan, P. Allen
10 Leavin' 4:02
Music By – S. Lynne
11 Rain Falling 3:06
Music By – K. Springs
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Jesse Harris (tracks: 1, 6, 10)
Bass – Dan Lutz (tracks: 1 to 10)
Celesta – Larry Klein (tracks: 1)
Congas – Pete Korpela (tracks: 5, 9)
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta (tracks: 1 to 10)
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Kandace Springs (tracks: 4, 9)
Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Pete Kuzma (tracks: 1, 6)
Guitar – Dean Parks (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 10)
Organ – Pete Kuzma (tracks: 1, 3 to 10)
Percussion – Larry Klein (tracks: 1, 3 to 5), Pete Korpela (tracks: 8)
Performer [Special Thanks] – Steve Tavaglione
Piano – Dean Parks (tracks: 4), Kandace Springs (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 8, 10, 11)
Trumpet – Terence Blanchard (tracks: 2, 7)
Vibraphone – Larry Klein (tracks: 8)
Vocals – Kandace Springs
Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen — Sound Your Horn (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Tracklist
1 Let's Stay In
2 It Ain't Friday
3 Sweet Morning
4 All You Are To Me
5 Prelude To The Stars
6 The Room
7 This Winter
8 Look To The Stars
Piano – Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen
9 Desert Song
10 The Darkest Hour
11 This Love
12 Sound Your Horn
Credits :
Accordion – Espen Leite
Backing Vocals – Julie Dahle Ågaard*, Karen Musæus, Lene Kongsvik Johansen
Bass, Backing Vocals – Jens Fossum
Cello – Samuel Skrede
Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Klaus Robert Blomvik
Flute – Ketil Vestrum Einarsen
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Jan Martin Smørdal
Harmonica – Finn Hauge
Piano, Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Producer, Arranged By, Recorded By – Anders Aarum
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet – Atle Nymo
Trombone – Jørgen Gjerde
Trumpet – Kåre Nymark Jr.
Tuba – David Gald
Vocals, Music By, Lyrics By – Hilde Louise Asbjørnsen