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Sara
Gazarek - Yours (Native Language)
Released: August, 2005
The problem with any disc
heavy with old standards, is that the artist competes with all the other
treatments you've heard before. Can "Cheek to Cheek" compete favorably
with the more than 500 versions already out there?
But when was the last time you heard Joni Mitchell's "The Circle Game"
done by anyone other than Joni Mitchell?
Oh, my. You must hear this.
What grabs be most about this offering is the way Sara Gazarek is able to
put her imprint on tunes you haven't heard endlessly. Her treatment of
"The Circle Game" simply shines. If you buy nothing else from this disc
(It's available by the track at iTunes), you must have this gem.
Ms. Gazarek's voice is both warm and subtle, and yet she's always in
control of each track. Despite my carping about the reliance on old
standards, these are above-average treatments for a first outing like
this.
Technically, the disc is balanced nicely. Multiple Grammy winner Al
Schmitt (works with Diana Krall, Michael Bublé, Joni Mitchell and other
large names) twiddled the knobs. The backing group is always evident (and
great), but not overpowering. Bassist John Clayton also produces; Josh
Nelson, who wrote two of the tracks, including the title tune bears
watching, too. He takes off on several nice riffs throughout the disc.
Go on - buy the whole disc. You'll want the early ones once this young
woman breaks out.
And she will.
Oh, my yes.
Three microphones (out of four)
- Doug Boynton
(09/11/05) |
