|
Let Me Sing
Skylark |
Annie Ross - Let Me Sing
(Red Anchor)
Released: November, 2005
Annie Ross
- Skylark (DRG)
Released: August, 1956
Annie Ross was part of what allmusic calls "The premier Jazz vocal act of
all time." Before
there was the Manhattan Transfer, or Bobby McFerrin, or Al Jarreau, there
was Lambert,
Hendricks and Ross.
And a fair number of solo performances, too. And while the vocal range of
those days may no
longer be here - there's an edge to the interpretation of the lyrics that
can only come with
experience. Joined on this disc by Bucky Pizzarelli on Guitar, Jimmy
Wordsworth on Druns,
pianist Tardo Hammer, Warren Vaché on horns and Neal Miner on bass. i-Tunable,
you'll want
to give a listen to classics like the Gershwins' "Embraceable You," or the
Billy Strayhorn
classic, "Lush Life."
While at iTunes, all of this led me to some of Ms. Ross' earlier
recordings.
"Skylark" was released in 1956 - just ahead the Lambert, Hendricks and
Ross recordings.
It sounds like it could have been released yesterday, and makes for a
nifty comparison to
"Let Me Sing."
Oh, yes - it's more lively, but the same nuances are there, and I had
great fun taking cuts
from the two discs, and playing them back to back.
Reminiscent of Keely Smith or Eydie Gorme, I had to remind myself that all
of them would have
been contemporaries in the fifties.
At any rate, "Skylark" was the real serendipity of this outing - "Let Me
Sing" is certainly
worthy of a listen, as well.
"Let Me Sing" is recommended.
 Two microphones (out of four)
"Skylark" is very highly recommended.
Three
microphones (out of four)
- Doug Boynton
(01/14/07) |
