Barbara Montgomery - Ask Me Now

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:56
Size: 159,4 MB
Art: Front

(7:03)  1. Estate
(9:54)  2. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
(5:51)  3. Falling Grace
(7:39)  4. Never Let Me Go
(5:50)  5. Shape Of My Heart
(6:18)  6. Invitation
(7:14)  7. Desire
(6:22)  8. Skylark
(6:23)  9. Once I Loved
(6:16) 10. How I Wish...

One listen to Barbara Montgomery's voice and I guarantee you will fall in love all over again. This outing is perfect for late night listening. Barbara not only entertains us with her deep, husky warm voice, but her phrasing and ability to convey a mood is displayed throughout all ten selections. Her band supports her with gentle backing and beautiful accompaniment. Not since Helen Merrill or the late Sarah Vaughan has there been a vocalist who can not only convey the mood of a piece but also draw you into the moment with such conviction. Listen to her interpretation of Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark". Trumpet player Bob Meashley's supportive trumpet blends seamlessly with Barbara's voice. This kind of interaction is evidenced throughout every piece. One of the most promising vocalists on the scene today, Barbara continues to offer the listener timeless classics on this her second recording, as well as her own personal stamp making each song uniquely her own.
 

Personnel:  Barbara Montgomery: Vocals;  Steve Giordano: Guitar;  Bob Meashey: Trumpet/ Flugelhorn;   Steve Meashey: Bass;   Bobby Shomo: Drums.

Ask Me Now

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Barbara Montgomery - Dakini Land

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:16
Size: 145,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:53)  1. What Game Shall We Play
(6:31)  2. The Reason Why
(5:58)  3. Miles To Go
(7:37)  4. Crystal Silence
(7:17)  5. Carousel
(4:35)  6. High Wire
(5:11)  7. 500 Miles High
(4:46)  8. You're Everything
(7:05)  9. Like A Lover
(8:18) 10. Sometime Ago

Barbara Montgomery’s recordings may not be retailed in vast quantities, and thus they may not be immediately available to listeners who enjoy enlightening jazz singing. But her latest recording, Dakini Land, is worth seeking. Perhaps suffering the ironic plight of Diana Krall that is, that her physical appeal distracts from the perception of her inherent vocal talent Montgomery leaves no doubt about the depth of her insight or commitment in this album, which focuses on the often overlooked vocal potential of Chick Corea’s music. No, “Spain” doesn’t appear on Dakini Land. Rather, Montgomery investigates Corea’s tunes that have a personal significance for her. A practicing Buddhist who adopted the religion as a witness to Viet Nam’s social upheaval when she lived there as a girl, Montgomery has deepened the expression of her religious commitment through her music. Corea’s compositions, and especially “Crystal Silence,” had a spiritual and therapeutic effect on her when she was recovering from Lyme Disease. In fact, some of the sales of Dakini Land are donated to the Lyme Disease Foundation.

While philanthrophy is all well and good, in the end, it’s the music that makes the album. And it’s a pleasure to report that Montgomery interprets sometimes difficult melodies with ease and a huskiness that lure the listener into her realm of deep inner feeling released through music. Surrounded by a group of friends who happen to be Philadelphia musicians as well, Montgomery takes advantage of the camaraderie evident in the spirit of the CD to create a fully realized statement of her beliefs. Even the first tune, “What Game Shall We Play Today,” evokes Buddhist symbolisms of playfulness and immediacy. Dakini Land itself refers to Buddhist angelic entities with sprightly, overseeing characteristics. In spite of the profound meanings of the tunes, Montgomery’s music is entirely approachable, particularly as it comes to life through the skills of musicians like lyrical saxophonist Chris Farr, inspiring electric bassist Chico Huff or Montgomery’s co-producer and pianist Barry Sames.

Montgomery diverges from her presentation of the influence of Corea’s music in her composition of three tunes on the album, one of which, the clavé-driven “The Reason Why,” she sings in Portuguese. A special delight on that track includes violinist John Blake’s energetic violin solo over several choruses. Montgomery ends Dakini Land in the same consistent spirit of joy and extroversion. Corea’s “Sometime Ago,” long sung tones over percolating percussion, emphasizes ever-lasting child-like hope sustained through wonder, appreciation and play. ~ AAJ Staff     http://www.allaboutjazz.com/dakini-land-barbara-montgomery-review-by-aaj-staff.php

Personnel: Barbara Montgomery - Vocals; Tyrone Brown, Lee Smith - Acoustic Bass; "Father John" D'Amico, Barry Sames - Piano; Kenny Davis, Chico Huff - Electric Bass; Craig Ebner - Guitar; Chris Farr - Tenor Saxophone; Glenn Ferracone, Gregory McDonald - Drums; Doc Gibbs - Percussion; Bob Meashey - Trumpet/Flugelhorn; Marlon Simon - Drums/ Percussion; Terell Stafford - Trumpet/Flugelhorn; John Blake - Violin

Dakini Land

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