Corinne Mammana - Yes, No, Next

Styles: Vocal
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:10
Size: 90,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:03) 1. Blue Skies
(3:06) 2. Painter Song
(4:29) 3. Lovesong
(4:49) 4. Smile / Put on a Happy Face
(4:13) 5. In Need of a Good Night’s Sleep
(4:38) 6. Music of the Night
(4:12) 7. This & That
(6:14) 8. Yes, No, Next
(4:21) 9. The Best Is Yet to Come

Vocalist Corinne Mammana follows her 2016 EP Under An August Moon (CD Baby) with her full-length debut, Yes, No, Next. Blending the tried-and-true (Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies" taken straight ahead) with the downright inventive (The Cure's "Lovesong" rendered as a smooth samba), Mammana demonstrates a dense and fearless creative mettle not frequently equalled by her peers. With a voice at once coquettish and confident, Mammana reveals an ability to address any vocal genre, doubtless from her theater experience. Capably supported by the core trio of pianist Sean Gough, bassist Gene Perla and drummer Ian Froman, with wind input from Lorenzo Branca, the singer is able to showcase her impressive vocal chops, always tasteful and never over-the-top. Mamanna makes it all sound too easy.

A full-service singer, Mamanna arranged the nine selections (ten, including the CD-bonus "Everybody Needs A Best Friend") on the release. Her arrangements are capable and utilitarian until they become sheer genius, as on the thoughtful mash-up of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" with Strauss and Adams' "Put On A Happy Face." It is a well-presented, acute juxtaposition of two quite different songs, seamlessly linked thematically and musically. Few singers could have pulled this off, but Mammana does so with gusto. The singer is a composer also, cooing her way through a blues infused "This And That," while allowing Gough a searing organ solo. In a market clotted with the refuse of much lesser talent, Mammana distinguishes herself as the total package, with an omnivorous appetite for music... any music.~ C.Michael Bailey https://www.allaboutjazz.com/yes-no-next-corinne-mammana-corinne-mammana

Personnel: Corinne Mammana: voice / vocals; Gene Perla: bass; Ian Froman: drums; Sean Gough: piano; Lorenzo Branca: flute.

Yes, No, Next

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Harry Connick, Jr. - Alone With My Faith

Styles: Vocal
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:44
Size: 134,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:54) 1. Alone With My Faith
(3:33) 2. Because He Lives
(4:19) 3. Be Not Afraid
(3:42) 4. Benevolent Man
(4:51) 5. Amazing Grace
(5:50) 6. The Old Rugged Cross
(3:58) 7. How Great Thou Art
(5:34) 8. God And My Gospel
(4:03) 9. Old Time Religion
(4:28) 10. All These Miracles
(3:47) 11. Look Who I Found
(4:53) 12. Thank You For Waiting (For Me)
(2:47) 13. Panis Angelicus

Harry Connick, Jr. spotlights his spirituality as well as his adept multi-instrumental chops on his intimate 2021 album Alone with My Faith, recorded on his own while in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic (with some mixing and production assistance by Tracey Freeman). Connick has recorded big band, small group, and orchestral albums in the past, not to mention his work on Broadway. Here, he adds yet another genre to his resumé, interpreting traditional hymns and gospel songs alongside similarly soulful originals. It's not quite as easy a fit as his past ventures, but Connick achieves some transcendent moments on the record, thanks in no small part to his omnipresent virtuosity, playing every instrument on every track. You might expect that an album Connick recorded in isolation would be a pared-down affair featuring little more than his voice and a trusty old piano, but he proves to be a pretty self-sufficient one-man band, performing keys, horns, guitar, percussion, and backing harmonies. Connick's aw-shucks brand of charisma has often shined best on standards of the American pop tradition, making Alone with My Faith something of an unexpected side-step. This album feels more in line with his forays into Stevie Wonder-esque soul and pop on 1996's Star Turtle and 2015's That Would Be Me. It's a facet of his repertoire that feels joyful and exuberant, even if it's not perhaps the best use of his charming sincerity as a performer. From the '80s drum machine on the title track to the analog synths of "Thank You For Waiting (For Me)," the vintage R&B sound that pervades much of the album clearly holds a place in his heart, and it grows on you as he moves from track to track. Meanwhile, the gospel organ and twangy guitar of songs like "That Old Rugged Cross" and "Old Time Religion" conjure a rousing, Ray Charles-like old-timeyness that fits squarely in Connick's wheelhouse.~ Matt Collar https://www.allmusic.com/album/alone-with-my-faith-mw0003478816

Alone With My Faith

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Thad Jones - The Fabulous Thad Jones

Styles: Trumpet Jazz 
Year: 1958
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:36
Size: 146,3 MB
Art: Front

(8:47)  1. Get Out Of Town
(7:33)  2. One More
(4:56)  3. Bitty Ditty
(5:16)  4. More Of The Same
(5:15)  5. Elusive
(2:50)  6. Sombre Intrusion
(6:08)  7. I Can't Get Started
(3:51)  8. I'll Remember April
(3:33)  9. You Don't Know What Love Is
(3:45) 10. Chazzanova
(7:33) 11. Get Out Of Town (Alternate Take)
(4:03) 12. One More (Alternate Take)

Trumpeter Thad Jones made his debut as a leader for Charles Mingus' Debut label during 1954-55, music that has been reissued as a single CD in the OJC series and as part of a huge 12-CD Mingus Debut box set. The 12 performances (which include two alternate takes) really put the focus on Jones' accessible yet unpredictable style. Half of the music showcases Jones in a quartet with pianist John Dennis, bassist Mingus and drummer Max Roach. while the other six numbers are more in a Count Basie groove with Frank Wess on tenor and flute, pianist Hank Jones, Mingus and drummer Kenny Clarke. 

The originals tend to be tricky, and even such standards as "I'll Remember April," "You Don't Know What Love Is" and "Get Out of Town" have their surprising moments. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-fabulous-thad-jones-mw0000262510

Personnel includes: Thad Jones (trumpet); Frank Wess (tenor saxophone, flute); John Dennis, Hank Jones (piano); Charles Mingus (bass); Max Roach, Kenny Clarke (drums).

The Fabulous Thad Jones

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