O Púbis da Rosa: Bill Charlap

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9.3.25

ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY — Easy Living (1999-2005) APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is Ann Hampton Callaway's seventh recording, Easy Living, is one of her very best. It's a program of well-known standards and fairly stock arrangements, but in the middle is her pristine, well-defined, flexible voice. She retains a lower-end range in her style that suggests only one singer: Sarah Vaughan. She's joined by several different rhythm sections and soloists, including pianists Benny Green (six cuts), Bill Charlap (five), and Kenny Barron (two); bassists Peter Washington or Neal Miner; drummers Clarence "Tootsie" Bean and Lewis Nash; percussionist Jim Saporito; saxophonists Andy Farber, Nelson Rangell, and Gerry Niewood; and on three selections, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. A collection of love songs sung convincingly and with no frills, Callaway shows great depth in ballad singing. Hard evidence is presented in her takes of "Skylark" and "The Very Thought of You," with Charlap's glistening piano tones ringing bells for the singer and Farber's tenor sax replies. "'Round Midnight" is the penultimate interp with Barron's wistful piano and Marsalis' spare trumpet offering advice on ol' midnight. Callaway can swing well when she chooses; "Easy to Love" brings home her lower dulcet tones, while Farber's tenor cops a Stan Getz-Joe Henderson type plea bargain. Green's intro to "Nice Work If You Can Get It" has a "Giant Steps" quote before the singer digs into this lyric. She scats a little during the middle of the program, on the melody line, and the coda, of "Bluesette," and more in the improvised bridge during "It Had to Be You." Bossa nova is always a sidebar for singers, and Callaway uses this Brazilian rhythm on an interesting arrangement of "You Don't Know What Love Is" spiked with high drama, Saporito's Latin percussion, Barron's deft piano, and Niewood's flavorful tenor. The lone composition of the vocalist "Come Take My Hand" is also bossa, with Rangell's flute chirping on this definitive love anthem. Marsalis is also bolder on the stark ballad title track and a nice version of "In a Sentimental Mood," while it's the singer getting brash and daring in a lower tone than normal for perhaps the highlight "All of You," Green's piano matching the depths of Callaway's yearnings. It's not hyperbole to understand this is the perfect singer with a perfect voice that sounds so effortless, mature, and flowing. Though the others six recordings are just fine, this one really hits the spot, especially instrumentally. Callaway proves up to the challenge with every measure, phrase, and inflection. Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist :
1        Easy To Love    3:48
Cole Porter
2        'Round Midnight    5:56
Bernie Hanighen / Thelonious Monk / Cootie Williams
3        Come Take My Hand    3:32
Ann Hampton Callaway
4        Easy Living    5:44
Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin
5        All Of You    3:22
Cole Porter
6        Blusette    3:41
Norman Gimbel / Toots Thielemans
7        It Had To Be You    3:27
Isham Jones / Gus Kahn
8        In A Sentimental Mood    5:22
Duke Ellington / Manny Kurtz / Irving Mills
9        You Don't Know What Love    4:00
Gene DePaul / Don Raye
10        Come Rain Or Come Shine    4:11
Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
11        Skylark    5:47
Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
12        Nice Work If You Can Get It    2:32
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
13        The Very Thought Of You    5:48
Ray Noble / Roy Noble
Line-up / Musicians
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Nelson Rangel
Bass – Neal Miner, Peter Washington
Drums – Clarence "Tootsie" Bean, Lewis Nash
Percussion – Jim Saporito
Piano – Benny Green, Bill Charlap, Kenny Barron
Tenor Saxophone – Andy Farber, Gerry Niewood
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis
Vocals – Ann Hampton Callaway

11.7.21

CAROL SLOANE - When I Look In Your Eyes (1994) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This is one of Carol Sloane's finest recordings. Having developed into a superb interpreter of lyrics who always swings, Sloane works closely with pianist Bill Charlap (who is sometimes joined by bassist Steve Gilmore, drummer Ron Vincent, and guitarist Howard Alden) on a variety of haunting ballads and an occasional romp. Her rendition of "Something Cool" ranks with June Christy's (Sloane really sounds purposely pitiful); "I Didn't Know About You" and "I Was Telling Him About You" are quite expressive, and Sloane brings a happier mood to "Give Me the Simple Life" and "Tulip or Turnip." Highly recommended to fans of first-class singing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Give Me The Simple Life 4:14
2 Isn't This A Lovely Day 4:12
3 Midnight Sun 7:30
4 Take Your Shoes Off, Baby 3:19
5 I Didn't Know About You 5:28
6 Soon 3:44
7 Old Devil Moon 4:42
8 Let's Face The Music And Dance 6:48
9 Something Cool 5:19
10 Tulip Or Turnip 2:49
11 I Was Telling Him About You 4:34
12 When I Look In Your Eyes 5:29
13 Will You Still Be Mine? 3:11
Credits:
Bass – Steve Gilmore
Drums – Ron Vincent
Guitar – Howard Alden
Piano – Bill Charlap
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Frank Wess (tracks: 2, 5, 6, 12)
Vocals – Carol Sloane

14.11.18

NEW YORK TRIO - Begin The Beguine [2005] VENUS JAPAN / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The New York Trio consists of pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Jay Leonhart, and drummer Bill Stewart, though it exists solely as a studio band for the Japanese label Venus, as Charlap's regular trio includes Peter Washington and Kenny Washington. Even though this band only meets occasionally in the studio to record yet another release in their prolific series for the Japanese jazz market, there is plenty of chemistry between the three veterans, while the nine songs from the vast Cole Porter songbook were likely to have been a part of each musician's repertoire long before these 2005 sessions. Charlap's lyrical piano style is quite effective, capturing the nuances of Porter's humor (even though none of his lyrics are heard), while the rhythm section gels nicely with the pianist. Highlights include a jaunty "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," a dreamy "Begin the Beguine," and a snappy "From This Moment On." by Ken Dryden
Tracklist
1 You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To 8:03
2 My Heart Belongs To Daddy 6:13
3 So In Love 6:49
4 Begin The Beguine 6:49
5 I Love Paris 6:31
6 From This Moment On 6:55
7 Just One Of Those Things 2:58
8 Easy To Love 6:19
9 Every Time We Say Goodbye 6:42
Credits
Bass – Jay Leonhart
Drums – Bill Stewart
Piano – Bill Charlap
Songwriter – Cole Porter

NEW YORK TRIO - Begin The Beguine

[2005] VENUS JAPAN / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

O Púbis da Rosa

23.10.18

NEW YORK TRIO — Always (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The New York Trio, led by pianist Bill Charlap with bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Bill Stewart, exists exclusively as a band to record for the Japanese jazz market, as Charlap has a regular trio with Peter Washington and Kenny Washington, while both Leonhart and Stewart are busy session musicians who occasionally also lead their own record dates. These 2007 sessions focus exclusively on the extensive songbook of the prolific Irving Berlin. Most of the ten tunes heard on this CD have long since become standards and are frequently recorded by jazz artists. One that isn't typically heard as an instrumental is "I Got the Sun in the Morning" (from the musical Annie Get Your Gun), heard in a loping yet infectious interpretation. "How Deep Is the Ocean" is one of Berlin's most recorded songs, yet this version sizzles with energy, unlike the typical ballad treatments. Other highlights include the breezy, joyful setting of "Cheek to Cheek," with Stewart's whispering brushes propelling Charlap's buoyant piano, along with the bittersweet "What'll I Do," featuring Leonhart's intimate solo. Even though this isn't a working band, things seem to gel quickly for the New York Trio when the group assembles to record. Ken Dryden

Tracklist :
1 Always 5:20
Irving Berlin
2 Cheek to Cheek 5:46
Irving Berlin
3 They Say It's Wonderful 4:02
Irving Berlin

4 I Got the Sun in the Morning 5:24

Irving Berlin

5 How Deep Is the Ocean 4:02

Irving Berlin
6 Change Partners 4:48
Irving Berlin
7 What'll I Do 5:29
Irving Berlin
8 Isn't This a Lovely Day? 5:44
Irving Berlin
9 The Song Is Ended 6:56
Irving Berlin
10 Russian Lullaby 2:07
Irving Berlin
Credits :
Bill Charlap - Piano
Jay Leonhart - Bass
Bill Stewart - Drums

4.10.18

TONY BENNETT & DIANA KRALL - Love Is Here To Stay (2017) [24-96] FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tony Bennett and Diana Krall's partnership didn't begin with the 2018 duets album Love Is Here to Stay. Krall popped up on two prior duets albums from Bennett and the pair toured at the dawn of the 2000s, but Love Is Here to Stay marks their first full record together, and it's an elegant affair. Conceived as a tribute to George Gershwin, the album is filled with familiar tunes, but hints of imagination lurk around the edges, such as the revival of "Fascinating Rhythm," the tune Bennett recorded for his first single in 1949. Nearly 70 years separate that version of "Fascinating Rhythm" from this 2018 rendition, and while Bennett certainly sounds older -- his voice is slightly raspy, he can't hit the high notes the way he used to, nor does he sing with quite as much force -- he still sounds spry and commanding, happily dancing through these cozy melodies, singing with as much rhythm as lyricism. Krall responds in kind, trading staccato phrases that are slyly complementary to Bennett's own. In the Bill Charlap Trio, the pair have empathetic support, keeping the proceedings both light and lush, helping to turn this album into a charming testament to endurance -- endurance of the Gershwin catalog, the collaboration between Krall and Bennett, and, especially, how Tony Bennett can still sound completely committed to songs he's spent decades singing. by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist
1 'S Wonderful 2:51
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
2 My One and Only 2:50
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin

3 But Not for Me 3:06