LAVERNE BUTLER — Blues In The City (1999) MAXJAZZ Vocal Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Shreveport, LA native Laverne Butler came up in a musical family, and she's learned her lessons well. She sings jazz, blues and gospel in a manner quite reminiscent of Nancy Wilson, with a sleek, supple voice that oozes class. There are no gimmicky affectations or cutesy inflections, just straight soul. Backed by pianist/producer Bruce Barth and bassist John Webber -- both first-class players -- and drummer Klaus Suonsaari, Butler sings some of her favorite standards known worldwide. The CD starts with a string of tunes, including a swinging "This Bitter Earth," a ballad treatment of "Please Send Me Someone to Love," and a slow "Hit the Road Jack" -- all employ background singers, sometimes using sweeping doo-wahs or call-and-response jiving. An up blues, "One for My Baby," (without the singers) lets Butler cut loose and show she can stand on her own. After a Barth trio number, the instrumental waltz "Late Sunday Afternoon," the singer gets on a roll for the remainder of the program with solid, honest melancholia on "I'm a Fool to Want You," a fine "Born to Be Blue," a light blue "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying," and the gospel original of Butler's "All That I Know." She finally gets animated, shouting on "Since I Fell for You," while doting and crying out on the finale "Backwater Blues." There is also Quicktime video bonus track of "Days of Wine & Roses." The second half of this recording has some powerful sounds, attesting to the ability Butler already has. She's good, and bound to get better. Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist :
1.    This Bitter Earth    3:20
 Clyde Otis 
2.    Please Send Me Someone To Love    4:27
 Percy Mayfield 
3.    Hit The Road Jack    2:46
 Percy Mayfield 
4.    Willow Weep For Me  5:40
 Ann Ronell 
5.    The Blues Are Out Of Town    3:30
 Joe Derise 
6.    One For My Baby    6:05
 Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer 
7.    Late Sunday Afternoon    6:21
 Bruce Barth 
8.    I'm A Fool To Want You    5:02
 Joel Herron / Frank Sinatra / Jack Wolf 
9.    Born To Be Blue    4:29
 Mel Tormé / Robert Wells 
10.    Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying    3:53
 Joe Greene 
11.    All that I Know    4:20
 LaVerne Butler 
12.    Since I Fell For You    4:43
 Buddy Johnson 
13.    Backwater Blues    4:30
 Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer 
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Ava Burton, Janet Hall Givens
Bass – John Webber 
Drums – Klaus Suonsaari
Piano – Bruce Barth
Vocals – LaVerne Butler