2007-09-26
eJazzNews.com By Edward Bianco - Review
CD Reviews: Amy London, “When I look in Your Eyes”
Posted by: editoron Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 10:54 PM
By: Edward Blanco
One of the foremost first-call vocalists in New York City’s vibrant jazz scene, Amy London releases her latest album with “When I look in Your Eyes,” containing 12 terrific songs borrowing some from the Great American Songbook with compositions from Ira and George Gershwin, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Cy Coleman to name only a few.
Producer Suzi Reynolds deserves credit for putting together a musical cast that is referred to as a New York City jazz dream team that consists of the late pianist John Hicks, Lee Musiker on piano (four racks), bassist Rufas Reid, trumpeter Richie Vitale, Dan Greenblatt and Chris Byars on the reeds, John Mosca on the trombone and London’s husband, guitarist Roni Ben-Hur.
London opens up the album with a song from the Opera Porgy and Bess in “There’s A Boat That’s Leavin’ Soon For New York,” giving the singer a chance to hit a few high notes with the lyrics. She’s more subdued on the standard “Wonderful, Wonderful” and explores a new side of Dizzy Gillespie’s “Wouldn’t You,” with some well places scatting and dynamite support from the band.
The lady sings beautifully on a medley of tunes from a Broadway musical on “Ohio/ Anyplace I Hang My Hat is Home.” Perhaps the best swinging tune here is “It Could Be So Nice,” where London sound jazzy backed up by marvelous solo performances from pianist Hicks and guitarist Ben-Hur.
She lets it all hang out on Jobim’s samba “Passarim,’ singing with delicious passion on what is for me one of the best numbers on the album. Amy London’s vocal charm and energetic performance on this album set’s her apart from others. Her embrace of the Great American Songbook and her unique interpretation of the selections here makes this album a must for lovers of jazz vocals.
Year: 2007
Label: Motema Music
Artist Web: www.amylondon.com
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