Year: 2023
Time: 45:48
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 105,8 MB
Art: Front
(3:31) 1. Any Little Time
(3:47) 2. Even In The Evenin'
(4:13) 3. Is A Good Man Real?
(3:16) 4. Just Two
(3:04) 5. Why Do I?
(3:14) 6. I'm Not Ready
(3:33) 7. Join Me In A Dream
(3:33) 8. Hate Is The Basis (Of Love)
(3:48) 9. A Love Song, Played Slow
(3:07) 10. Just Me This Year
(3:41) 11. I've Drawn Your Face
(3:25) 12. Goodnight My Love
(3:31) 13. Let's Make Love On This Plane (Full Band Version Bonus Track)
Harking back to the jazz of the 1940s and '50s, Rachael & Vilray's sophomore album, 2023's I Love a Love Song!, is a delightfully romantic and swinging homage to the golden era of traditional pop. Showcasing the talents of singer Rachael Price and singer/guitarist/songwriter Vilray Blair Bolles, Rachael & Vilray initially met while students at Boston's New England Conservatory before reconnecting around 2015 over their shared love of jazz standards and Tin Pan Alley pop. Although they've performed classic standards together (here, they take on Mack Gordon and Harry Revel's "Goodnight, My Love"), it's their knack for crafting their own swooning, literate songs in the traditional style of composers like Cole Porter and Johnny Mercer that makes their work so uniquely compelling.
It's a vibe they debuted on 2019's Rachael & Vilray and which they further perfect here. Even if their songs weren't so good (and they are) Price and Bolles can sing the heck out of a tune. Although best known for her funk-infused pop with Lake Street Dive, Price is a trained jazz singer whose dusky style evokes the cool, West Coast sound of icons like June Christy and Peggy Lee. Equally evocative, Bolles' warm, matter of fact tone brings to mind a relaxing blend of Dean Martin and Perry Como. They take turns leading songs throughout the album, often trading choruses, or as on the magical, Count Basie-esque "Just Two," sing in close harmony á la vocal groups like the Modernaires.
Other notable songs full of wry, melodic wordplay pop up throughout, as on Bolles' "Why Do I" in which Price compares her relationship woes to the animal world, singing "clams to my knowledge don't sigh/and moths ain't left wondering why/each time their fellow flies out, they needn't weep their eyes out/so why do I?" Also adding to the air of stylistic legitimacy are the duo's stellar backing ensemble featuring pianist Larry Goldings, bassist David Piltch, and drummer Joe La Barbera. Also joining them again is saxophonist/arranger Jacob Zimmerman and his horn section, all of which add to the old-school nightclub vibes Rachael & Vilray are going for.By Matt Collar https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-love-a-love-song%21-mw0003837217
Personnel: Vocals – Rachael Price, Guitar, Vocals – Vilray; Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Jacob Zimmerman (tracks: 1, 4, 6, 7, 10); Bass – David Piltch; Drums – Joe LaBarbera; Piano, Organ, Celesta – Larry Goldings; Tenor Saxophone – Nate Ketner (tracks: 1, 7, 10); Trombone – Joey Sellers (tracks: 10); Trombone, Trumpet – Dan Barrett (3); Trumpet – Jim Ziegler (tracks: (Except track 10)
It's a vibe they debuted on 2019's Rachael & Vilray and which they further perfect here. Even if their songs weren't so good (and they are) Price and Bolles can sing the heck out of a tune. Although best known for her funk-infused pop with Lake Street Dive, Price is a trained jazz singer whose dusky style evokes the cool, West Coast sound of icons like June Christy and Peggy Lee. Equally evocative, Bolles' warm, matter of fact tone brings to mind a relaxing blend of Dean Martin and Perry Como. They take turns leading songs throughout the album, often trading choruses, or as on the magical, Count Basie-esque "Just Two," sing in close harmony á la vocal groups like the Modernaires.
Other notable songs full of wry, melodic wordplay pop up throughout, as on Bolles' "Why Do I" in which Price compares her relationship woes to the animal world, singing "clams to my knowledge don't sigh/and moths ain't left wondering why/each time their fellow flies out, they needn't weep their eyes out/so why do I?" Also adding to the air of stylistic legitimacy are the duo's stellar backing ensemble featuring pianist Larry Goldings, bassist David Piltch, and drummer Joe La Barbera. Also joining them again is saxophonist/arranger Jacob Zimmerman and his horn section, all of which add to the old-school nightclub vibes Rachael & Vilray are going for.By Matt Collar https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-love-a-love-song%21-mw0003837217
Personnel: Vocals – Rachael Price, Guitar, Vocals – Vilray; Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Jacob Zimmerman (tracks: 1, 4, 6, 7, 10); Bass – David Piltch; Drums – Joe LaBarbera; Piano, Organ, Celesta – Larry Goldings; Tenor Saxophone – Nate Ketner (tracks: 1, 7, 10); Trombone – Joey Sellers (tracks: 10); Trombone, Trumpet – Dan Barrett (3); Trumpet – Jim Ziegler (tracks: (Except track 10)
I Love A Love Song!