Sarah DeLeo - The Nearness of You

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:18
Size: 111,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:58)  1. If I Had You
(3:36)  2. It's a Good Day
(6:15)  3. The Nearness of You
(4:07)  4. (The Night Time is) The Right Time
(5:09)  5. The Glory of Love
(6:35)  6. Blackbirds
(4:43)  7. Too Young for the Blues
(3:21)  8. Angel Eyes
(3:48)  9. It's Easy to Remember
(5:40) 10. So in Love

Sarah DeLeo, a young New York-based singer, conjures up images of Peggy Lee and the elegant supper club years of the 1950s and 1960s. I was particularly impressed with the tune selection and arrangements on her debut, The Nearness of You. She begins the album with a bossa nova version of "If I Had You" that works wonderfully and gives a fresh lease on life to a song that doesn't get much play any more. It was also nice to hear the sorely overlooked Peggy Lee/Dave Barbour tune "It's a Good Day." DeLeo has the Peggy Lee phrasing down pat, and she has mastered her understated swinging style. DeLeo shows that she doesn't have to shout to swing or to sing the blues. This can heard in her versions of "(The Night Time is) The Right Time" and an inspired shuffle version of "The Glory of Love" a tune I normally despise, but somehow DeLeo makes it work. Although this album is a tribute to the great American Songbook and examines familiar musical territory, one new discovery was the humorous Chuck Meyer/Biff Jones tune "Too Young for the Blues" and its Dave Frishberg-like lyrics. This is followed, however, by a very soulful and bluesy version of "Angel Eyes" that she sings accompanied only by Mark Verdino's bass. 

DeLeo's ballad singing is truly inspired. With a musicality that belies her youth, she can slow down a ballad like Shirley Horne and bring a poignancy to the simplest phrase, as evidenced by her versions of "The Nearness of You" and "It's Easy to Remember," both of which feature tasteful obbligatos by guitarist Chris Bergson. Ending the album as she began, DeLeo presents a bossa nova version of "So in Love," and like all of Cole Porter's tunes, it seems to have anticipated the bossa nova revolution by several decades. This is a wonderful album that features a delightful voice, imaginative arrangements, and a group of musicians who perform with total musical cohesion. It exhibits something we encounter very rarely in these vulgar times: consummate taste. My only quibble is its 48 minute duration. ~ William Grim   http://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-nearness-of-you-sarah-deleo-sweet-sassy-music-review-by-william-grim.php#.U2MeQ1eS-PM
 

Personnel: Sarah DeLeo: voice; Brian Charette:piano; David Cook: Fender Rhodes; Chris Bergson: guitar; Mark Verdino: bass; Diego Voglino: drums; Chuck Mackinnon: trumpet.

The Nearness of You

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Sarah DeLeo - I'm In Heaven Tonight

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:59
Size: 99,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:50)  1. Rockin' Robin
(3:59)  2. I Feel Pretty
(5:28)  3. I'm In Heaven Tonight
(5:28)  4. No Moon At All
(2:53)  5. On The Street Where You Live
(3:56)  6. Stolen Moments
(4:40)  7. Let It Rain
(2:39)  8. In The Cold, Cold Night
(4:40)  9. Sometimes I'm Happy
(5:22) 10. You're Getting To Be a Habit With Me

The Great American Songbook can be and often is overused when emerging vocalists put together a collection. What sets one apart from another is a little deviation picking standards that aren't covered ad nauseam, or creative arrangements. Sarah DeLeo tries both approaches with I'm in Heaven Tonight.  The New York-based DeLeo began singing at the age of nine and developed a love of jazz soon afterward. She has found inspiration from a variety of jazz and non-jazz artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Linda Ronstadt and Stevie Wonder. Her primary accompanists are percussionist Mark Bordenet, with keyboard duties split between organist Brian Charette and pianist David Cook. Others who appear on selected tracks are Jay Collins on saxophone and flute, Chris Bergson on guitar, Fabio Morgera on trumpet and Gary Wang on bass. DeLeo delivers a bouncy take on the classic "Rockin' Robin," a delightful arrangement by Collins that puts a jazz spin to a vintage pop song. Collins' flute adds a touch of "bird in flight" to this groove.

Wang, Bordenet and Charette quietly bring up "No Moon at All"; DeLeo's voice is light, and her notes precise. Bergson contributes a mellow guitar solo, with the organ striking complementary chords throughout. Morgera joins the ensemble for "On the Street Where You Live." DeLeo feels happy as she sings of an amorous interest, with emotion that is infectious. Bordenet, Charette, Bergson and Wang play with vigor. Morgera performs a bouncy solo in the middle break. DeLeo's melody to Oliver Nelson's classic "Stolen Moments," to which she composed the lyrics, follows the original perfectly. Using her voice rather than another instrument sets this rendition apart from others, with Bergson and Collins soloing during the middle break.  DeLeo's approach makes I'm in Heaven Tonight unlike most tribute or cover albums, and with her crystal voice and strong supporting cast, it's got excellent repeat-play potential. ~ Woodrow Wilkins  

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=31906#.Uu6twbS1QwA

Personnel: Sarah DeLeo: vocals; Chris Bergson: guitar (1, 2, 4-7, 10); Mark Bordenet: percussion; Brian Charette: organ (1, 2, 4-6); Jay Collins: saxophone and flute (1, 6, 7, 10); David Cook: piano (3, 7, 9, 10); Fabio Morgera: trumpet (3, 5, 7); Gary Wang: bass (3, 7-10).

I'm In Heaven Tonight

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