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Thisbe Vos: Under Your Spell
ByVos' compositions fit seamlessly with the standards. "Shanghai Blues" is a breezy 12-bar-walking romp Sinatra would have loved. It is perfectly seasoned with Geoff Nudell's tart clarinet playing. The ballad title piece with lightly accented strings recalls Nelson Riddle and Billy May, Vos sings with a voice of silk and champagne, Carl Randall's tenor saxophone providing a nice obligato. "That's Alright With Me" perfectly segues out of the Van Heusen/Mercer classic "I Thought About You," again complemented by Randall's throaty tenor.
The stand-out instrumentalist is Nudell whose reed range is broad and wide. He adds a slight sepia tone to the music without making it sound archaic. Vos turns out to be the total performance package. Within the thick stream of "traditional" jazz vocalists, one that is clotted with such a quantity of talent, Vos rises to the top. She entered a brutal creative market and topped it all in a single recording of such grace and personality, that this year is unlikely to see a mainstream vocal offering as fine again.
Track Listing
1. Shanghai Blues (Thisbe Vos) - 2:29; 2. Under Your Spell (Thisbe Vos) - 5:02; 3. I Thought About You (Jimmy Van Heusen/ Johnny Mercer) - 3:26; 4. That's All Right With Me (Thisbe Vos) - 4:54; 5. I Need You (Thisbe Vos) - 3:29; 6. Round Midnight (Thelonius Monk/Bernie Hanighen) - 3:07; 7. He's A Tramp (Peggy Lee/Sonny Burke) - 2:56; 8. Now You Are Here (Thisbe Vos) - 4:50; 9. Just A Fool Over You (Thisbe Vos) - 4:29; 10. Rue de la Huchette (Thisbe Vos) - 3:35; 11. Always (Irving Berlin) - 5:14; 12. Ain't Misbehavin' (Fats Waller/Harry Brooks/ Andy Razaf) - 2:34
Personnel
Thisbe Vos
vocalsGary Matsumoto
pianoHenry Franklin
bassDonald Dean
drumsNolan Shaheed
trumpetCarl Randall
saxophone, tenorGeoff Nudell
clarinetMichael Higgins
guitarThe Pasadena String Ensemble played string arrangements on three songs (arrangements by Jim McMillen). Geoff Nudell additionally played alto clarinet, bass clarinet, flute and alto flute.
Album information
Title: Under Your Spell | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Prime Productions