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Mary Foster Conklin - Blues
For Breakfast (Rhombus)
Released: October 3, 2006
The subtitle for this one is "Remembering Matt Dennis," a writer of
lesser-known standards who died in 2002; a man whose work Ms. Conklin
apparently believes not enough attention was paid. Ms. Conklin is an
award-winning New York City jazz vocalist. I think of her mostly in that
group that includes people like Ann Hampton Callaway, Patti LuPone, Stevie
Holland, and such past masters as Betty Buckley, Melissa Manchester and
Maureen McGovern.
Heck, that's not bad company.
By the end, you'll know that Mr. Dennis had something to do with some
songs you've always known, but may not have known he had anything to do
with. Like "Before The Show," penned with Sammy Cahn; "Let's Get Away From
It All," and one with Bobby Troup ("Route 66"), "Learn To Love."
Ms. Conklin is an award-winning artist for a very good reason. She's very
good. Great range, a truckload of emotion - often soaring above the small
backing group. It's a perfect setting to highlight her very versitile
voice. The Spanish "Encanto d'Amor" is heartbreaking - and I don't even
speak Spanish. The duet with Cuban Artist David Oquendo is top-rate.
Arrangements by John di Martino, a name I'm coming to recognize as a
regular in this territory. Nicely done.
But it pains me to say that there's a reason second-tier standards are
second-tier. This is a fine outing, and several of the cuts will make it
to the 'pod - mostly the ones I've mentioned. My Last-FM pal,
Claiborne, loves
lesser-known standards. I think he'd like this, and I intend to recommend
it to him. I keep bugging him to write a review or two. Although, I
think he'd label Ms. Conklin a little too theatrical.
But I prefer more familiar territory. That's just me. And for
beginning-to-end listening, I'd prefer Ms. Conklin's 2001 outing, "You'd
Be Paradise."
Oh. And cover art, cover
art, cover art. It starts selling the album long before anyone
listens. Maybe this is okay for post-performance sales, but they
need to catch the eye in the rack.
  Two
and one-half microphones (out of four)
- Doug Boynton
(9/27/06) |
