Reviewed: 2019-06-10
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: Vocalist Wexler takes the road less traveled by focusing on the work of jazz composers thriving in the present. In doing so she magnifies the importance of these artists, highlights material worthy of greater attention, and elevates her own standing as a gifted stylist and interpreter. Wexler winds her way through this series of new jazz standards with comfort and ease, telling stories and shaping melodies with smarts and sophistication. Wexler manages to inhabit these songs and deal with them on her own terms while still remaining true to the source material.
If You Like: Diana Kraal, Mary Stallings, Karrin Allyson
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
*1/ Circus Life (4:40) – drums start> midtempo song about life’s challenges> piano solo> midtempo song> instrumental break to fade
*2/ Persian Heartbreak (5:00) – piano/melodica starts> slow song about breaking up> melodica solo> midtempo song> instrumental break to fade
*3/ Crowded Heart (5:23) – piano starts> midtempo love song soars> piano solo> guitar solo> midtempo song> pause> midtempo song> slow fade on piano
4/ Painted On Canvas (3:50) - drums/sax starts> midtempo song> sax solo> midtempo song> instrumental break to fade
**5/ Stars (5:45) – piano/vocal starts> slow song> piano solo> midtempo song soars> crescendo end
*6/ The Last Goodbye (4:45) – cymbals/piano/flute starts> midtempo song about ending a relationship> flute solo> piano solo> midtempo song> slow instrumental fade
**7/ Take My Breath Away (4:33) – piano solo> midtempo love song> snappy guitar solo> midtempo song> piano solo to fade
8/ I Took Your Hand (4:17) – drums start> uptempo jam slows into midtempo love song> brief sax solo> midtempo song soars intercut with sax> midtempo song soars intercut with piano> fade
*9/ It’s Only Smoke (4:53) – piano starts> midtempo love song> piano solo> midtempo song> fade
***10/ And We Will Fly (5:27) – guitar starts> slow song builds to midtempo> guitar/piano duet> uptempo song with cello up front> slow fade