Bright, contemporary jazz treatments of songs from the 1930s
Mary Whipple | New England | 08/31/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Giving new life to songs that have been around for sixty years or more, Rebecca Kilgore, with her clear alto voice and fine enunciation of lyrics, sparkles in this CD with Dave Frischberg, her long-time pianist, and Dan Faehnle, a jazz guitarist whose style perfectly suits theirs. All three musicians are professionals to the core, and they are secure enough and comfortable enough with each other to let the music happen in a relaxed and free-wheeling style, which never misses a beat or a note. This is wonderful, minimalist jazz cabaret music--all three musicians employing a light touch--no wailing, no percussion, no grand finales, no loud instruments--just pure communication between voice, piano, and guitar as they explore new variations, tempos, and harmonies for some very old songs.
The opening medley is from the thirties--"Evenin'," "Swing, Brother, Swing," and "Topsy," a sit-up-and-take-notice swing combination which allows all three to have solo turns. Two sambas, in which Kilgore sings in effortless Portuguese, convey the romance of Latin America, while "I've Got a Feeling You're Foolin'," makes jazz singing seem easy, with Kilgore's vocal changes emphasized by the guitar as the piano keeps the beat and provides variations. "Melancholy Baby" gets a bossa nova beat, "Night Wind" becomes vampy, and two novelty songs, "An Occasional Man" and "Land of Oo-Blah-Dee" allow Kilgore to be playful and amusing.
A CD so good that it's impossible to choose a "best song," this collection from 1997 shows Kilgore as a fresh voice giving fresh meanings to songs that have been around seemingly forever. Her fellow musicians (one can't really call them "accompanists" because they are so integral to the sound) share her relaxed attitude and light musical touch. Together the three have produced a jazz album one never tires of hearing, one that is original, fun, and completely captivating. n Mary Whipple
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Track Listings (17) - Disc #1
