Smash

PATRICIA BARBER: Smash
Concord Jazz, 2013

MODERN JAZZ VOCALS – Typically smart new compositions from singer/songwriter/pianist Barber, whose intellectual, poetic lyrics and chilled voice are always marvelous. A strong, modern band and pristine recording quality round out the package. Deep, romantic, and gripping.

All very good! Fo’s Picks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

1. 5:21 – low bass pulse into urban night sound, mysterious break in middle
2. 3:43 – soft and intimate, but also flowing, built on 6-syllable lines
3. 2:24 – solo piano/voice: achingly tender, lots of open space
4. 4:20 – song of heartbreak starts gently, pained electric guitar takes over
5. 4:26 – light bossa-nova love song loaded with astrophysics metaphors
6. 4:42 – spare and poetic, just piano/bass/voice, built on 3-syllable lines
7. 5:09 – catchy riffs, brisk lyrics about gay love, nice guitar/piano breaks
8. 5:46 – angry socio-political lyrics in a serene setting, explodes & resettles
9. 4:25 – sweetly romantic and poetic: each line has only 2 syllables
10. 6:11 – instrumental: solo turns from piano & drums, then a cool trio glide
11. 3:16 – calm and intimate: each line has 4 syllables, drifts into mystery
12. 5:20 – a hushed, heartbreaking song of love and loss, deceptively simple

[ Fo ] - 26 January 2013