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Nancy Wilson: R​.​S​.​V​.​P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal)

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Nancy Wilson: R​.​S​.​V​.​P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal)
As she says in her opening line, "Some things are worth waiting for," Nancy Wilson presents a collection of vintage jazz that is well worth the wait. Listening to RSVP (rare songs, very personal) is like finally popping the cork to a prized bottle after decades of anticipation.

Joined by Toots Thielemans on harmonica and saxman Phil Woods, Wilson delivers a charming opener, "An Older Man Is Like an Elegant Wine," a title that not only expresses admiration for masculine maturity, but also captures the flavor of this entire album.

Wilson and her supporting cast of musicians and vocalists prove that old-school jazz need not be stuffy. They provide a passionate, vintage jazz sound that's both fresh and exciting. The latter element is evident on such tracks as "Day In, Day Out" and "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart," both featuring an all-star big band, with saxophone solos by Andy Snitzer on the former and Phil Woods on the latter.

Supplemented by a deep and talented lineup of soloists, ensemble musicians and background vocalists, Wilson is at the top of her musical game. RSVP began with the concept of Wilson picking out songs that were near and dear to her, yet she had not laid down in her 67 recordings during 50 years in the music business.

"Believe it or not, most albums have a theme that runs through them and they didn't fit into what I was doing at the moment," she says. "But they lingered in the back of my mind." The album includes tributes to Marvin Gaye ("Why Did I Choose You") and her pastor, O.C. Smith ("Little Green Apples").

While Wilson has suggested she may retire to spend more time with her family, she proves on RSVP that her voice is never old.

Track Listing

An Older Man Is Like An Elegant Wine; Day in Day Out; Why Did I Choose You; I Wish I'd Met You; I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart; Goodbye; How About Me; Dois Corregos; Little Green Apples; You'll See; That's All; Blame in On My Youth.

Personnel

Nancy Wilson- vocals; Llew Matthews- piano; Dwayne Dolphin- bass; Jamey Haddad- drums; Phil Woods- alto saxophone; Mike Tomaro- alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet; Andres Bojarsky- alto saxophone, flute; Andy Snitzer- tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, clarinet; Eric DeFade- tenor saxophone, flute; Jim Germann- baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Jim Hynes, Bob Millikan, Steve Hawk, Dennis Reynolds- trumpet; Mike Davis- trombone; Jay Ashby- trombone, background vocals on "I Wish I'd Met You;" Gary Piecka, Max Seigel- bass trombone; Marty Ashby- guitar; Rufus Reid- bass; Lewis Nash- drums; Toots Thielemans- harmonica on "An Older Man Is Like an Elegant Wine;" Andres Cardenes- violin on "Why Did I Choose You;" Tatiana Mead Chamis- viola on "Why Did I Choose You;" David Premo- cello on "Why Did I Choose You;" Kim Nazarian- background vocals on "I Wish I'd Met You;" Joe Negri- guitar on "I Wish I'd Met You;" Kenny Lattimore- vocal on "Why Did I Choose You;" Paquito D'Rivera- clarinet on "How About Me;" Ivan Lins- keyboards on "Minds Of Their Own;" Bill Watrous- trombone on "You'll See;" Gary Burton- vibraphone on "That's All;" George Shearing- piano on "Blame It On My Youth."

Album information

Title: R​.​S​.​V​.​P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal) | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: MCG Jazz

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