Alison Ruble - Ashland

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:38
Size: 125,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:43)  1. The Summer Knows
(6:03)  2. S'wonderful
(4:29)  3. Here I Am
(7:06)  4. Let's Fall In Love
(4:13)  5. Night And Day
(5:42)  6. Under The Milky Way
(5:32)  7. Tangled And Dark
(4:04)  8. Matte Kudasai
(4:49)  9. Route 66
(4:53) 10. You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go

Vocalist Alison Ruble's second CD for Origin is much like her first effort, a mix of standards and pop with embellishments of folk and rock, with arrangements again by guitarist John McLean. Gifted with a warm alto voice, Ruble starts off with an intriguing take of "The Summer Knows" (remembered by many as Michel Legrand's haunting theme written for the early-'70s film Summer of '42) that has a rich backdrop of acoustic guitar, alto flute, arco cello, and bass caressing her warm vocals. Most arrangers don't put a lot of thought into the scoring of the standard "Let's Fall in Love," yet McLean's brilliant chart incorporates an infectious vamp and subtle use of the strings and Jim Gailloreto's soprano sax to back Ruble's playful vocal. Though written by Bobby Troup, "Route 66" is readily identified with the late jazz pianist/vocalist Nat King Cole. Ruble's contemporary version is well out of jazz territory and heads into soft rock, though it retains a high energy level. The newer songs from country, pop, rock, and blues are a bit uneven. Emmylou Harris is a country/rock artist who has thoroughly tested her own musical boundaries, so it's logical that Ruble would explore her own songs. Organ and acoustic guitar are prominent in Ruble's contemporary interpretation of Harris' "Here I Am." Less interesting are the country-flavored setting of King Crimson's "Matte Kudasai" (hampered by both its weak melody and forgettable lyrics) and the funky yet bland take of Bonnie Raitt's "Tangled and Dark." While this is a generally enjoyable CD by Alison Ruble, it isn't quite as strong as her debut release This Is a Bird. ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/ashland-mw0002029531

Personnel: Alison Ruble (vocals); John McLean (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Jill Kaeding (cello); Jim Gailloreto (alto flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Karl Montzka (Hammond b-3 organ); Larry Kohut (acoustic bass, Chapman stick); Jim Widlowski (drums, percussion)

Ashland

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Alison Ruble - This Is a Bird

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:32
Size: 121,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:08)  1. Interlude
(5:29)  2. So in Love
(4:30)  3. If I Had You
(5:34)  4. Skylark
(4:41)  5. Always Something There to Remind Me
(3:48)  6. We Kiss in a Shadow
(4:32)  7. Lazy Afternoon
(2:53)  8. It's Magic
(4:48)  9. Something in the Way She Moves
(5:55) 10. The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
(3:09) 11. This Nearly Was Mine

It's amazing that out of the clutter of an industrial urban center like Chicago, a voice as serene and unruffled as Alison Ruble's can exist. For her debut recording, the opulent vocalist teams up with guitarist extraordinaire/producer John McLean for an intriguing journey through a collection of timeless American classics. The song selection, a mix of standard jazz fare and modern pop numbers, seems to suit Ruble's understated approach. McLean's acoustic guitar and stripped-down arrangements present fresh takes on the familiar and not-so-familiar. The opening "Interlude" invokes a Brazilian vibe, while Cole Porter's "So In Love" has a subdued hypnotic effect courtesy of McLean's droning accompaniment. 

The funky groove on "If I Had You" shows off Ruble's swinging capabilities. "Skylark" floats along with a carefree momentum. Jim Gailloreto's well-placed alto flute fills complement Ruble's unhurried phrasing and McLean's sympathetic comping. "Always Something There to Remind Me" opens with percussionist Geraldo De Oliveira's fine-tuned congas before Ruble explores the familiar Burt Bacharach staple. 

The tension-building, folk-rock sensibilities of "Lazy Afternoon" contrast nicely with the straight-ahead, strolling duet between Ruble and bassist Larry Kohut on "It's Magic." Kohut's playing throughout is inventive while maintaining solid support. Pianist Jo Ann Daugherty adds a lyrical presence, especially on the sensitive piano/voice duet "This Nearly Was Mine." Drummer Tim Davis provides a solid, low-profile pocket. This Is A Bird is an impressive debut from a fresh voice worthy of wider recognition.~ John Barron http://www.allaboutjazz.com/this-is-a-bird-alison-ruble-origin-records-review-by-john-barron.php

Personnel: Alison Ruble: vocals; John McLean: guitar; Jo Ann Daugherty: piano; Jim Gailloreto: soprano saxophone, alto flute; Larry Kohut: string bass, chapman stick; Tim Davis: drums; Geraldo De Oliveira: percussion.

This Is a Bird

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