JESSICA MOLASKEY — Make Believe (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Veteran Broadway actress Jessica Molaskey's third CD for PS Classics is a mix of favorites from musicals and standards from the Great American Songbook, though many of these compositions have not been recorded much at all for quite some time. Backed by a band that includes husband John Pizzarelli on guitar along with her guitarist father-in-law Bucky Pizzarelli, trombonist John Mosca, tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, and a number of superb New York-based musicians, Molaskey's acting skills come across even though the listener can't see her perform these timeless tunes. She sounds young and flirty in "I Cain't Say No" (from Oklahoma!) in a superb orchestration by John Clayton, while restoring the often omitted verse. She soars in the stunning strings and piano arrangement of "Make Believe." But one of the assets of Molaskey's choice of songs is rediscovering overlooked gems like "Stepsisters' Lament," making the most of its hilarious lyrics in a rapid-fire rendition. A very welcome guest is singer Adam Guettel (Richard Rodgers' grandson) in the warm duet of Rodgers' melancholy "Glad to Be Unhappy" with a brilliant orchestration by Don Sebesky. Husband John Pizzarelli sings with his wife in the humorous interwoven medley of Jon Hendricks' bop classic "Cloudburst" and Stephen Sondheim's "Getting Married Today," a real laugh riot arranged by Jason Robert Brown. Molaskey jointly wrote the bittersweet ballad "Cradle and All" with Ricky Ian Gordon, which features another fine orchestration by Sebesky. The only thing better than listening to this outstanding CD is getting to hear Jessica Molaskey perform in person. Ken Dryden 
Tracklist:
1 I Cain't Say No
Arranged By – John Clayton
Orchestrated By – John Clayton
Written-By – Rodgers & Hammerstein
2 Guys And Dolls
Arranged By – John Clayton
Orchestrated By – John Clayton
Written-By – Frank Loesser
3 Make Believe
Arranged By – Larry Goldings
Orchestrated By – Don Sebesky
Written By – Hammerstein-Kern
4 Stepsisters' Lament
Arranged By, Orchestrated By – Don Sebesky
Written-By – Rodgers & Hammerstein
5 Glad To Be Happy
Arranged By, Orchestrated By – Don Sebesky
Written-By – Rodgers & Hart
6 Hey, Look Me Over, [With A Touch Of] Big Spender
Written-By – Carolyn Leigh, Cy Coleman, Dorothy Fields
7 So Many People
Written-By – Stephen Sondheim
8 Medley
Orchestrated By – Don Sebesky
8a Cloudburst
Written-By – Jon Hendricks
8b Getting Married Today
Written-By – Stephen Sondheim
9 Growing Pains
Written-By – Arthur Schwartz, Dorothy Fields
10 All That Jazz
Arranged By, Orchestrated By – John Clayton
Written-By – Kander And Ebb
11 Right As The Rain
Written-By – E.Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen
12 You're A Builder Upper
Written-By – E.Y. Harburg, Harold Arlen, Ira Gershwin
13 Cradle And All
Orchestrated By – Don Sebesky
Written-By – Jessica Molaskey, Ricky Ian Gordon
14 Goodnight My Someone
Written-By – Meredith Willson
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Andy Fusco
Baritone Saxophone – Ken Berger
Bass – Martin Pizzarelli
Cello – Clay Ruede
Drums – Tony Tedesco
Flute – Pam Sklar, Shelley Woodworth
Guitar – Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli (tracks: 9)
Lead Vocals, Liner Notes – Jessica Molaskey
Piano – Larry Goldings (tracks: 3, 7, 11, 14), Lee Musiker, Ray Kennedy (tracks: 6, 8)
Producer – John Pizzarelli
Tenor Saxophone – Harry Allen
Trombone – John Mosca
Trumpet – "Bud" Burridge, Tony Kadleck
Viola – Conway Kuo
Violin – Antoine Silverman, Paul Woodiel
Vocals – Adam Guettel (tracks: 5), John Pizzarelli (tracks: 8) 

JOHN PIZZARELLI — P.S. Mr. Cole (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Just as when we listen to Harry Connick, Jr., there's a sense that John Pizzarelli is an old soul who is living back in the 1940s and '50s golden age of music and that listeners are time-traveling with him. But that just bears testament to the timeless nature of his easy vocals, lush and often snappy electric guitar work and the loving way he embraces classic material. P.S. Mr. Cole, the follow-up to Dear Mr. Cole is as, pardon the expression, unforgettable as his first tribute to the grace and panache of Nat King Cole. Just as with his recent tribute to the Beatles, Pizzarelli is just fine on the soft, sparse ballads but saves his most interesting interpretations for swinging trio arrangements. Because this is the sequel, the tunes aren't all household hums, and that makes this even more interesting. "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" swings gently along, breaks for a colorful guitar-piano duet (with Ray Kennedy), then speeds up towards the dramatic conclusion. "Welcome to the Club," whose lyric marvelously chronicles the shared experience of being a fool in love, opens with the singer scatting over a buoyant rhythm section (cleverly belying the melancholy nature of the theme). Other titles he adds his unique flair to are "The Late Late Show," "Tenderly," and Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" (which could have perhaps been done with a little more wryness). Recently Pizzarelli declared that he's not intimidated putting his own originals alongside classics, and his tribute tune, "That's Nat," is one of the most adventurous pieces here. Perhaps Pizzarelli should do a few duets next time with Natalie Cole. That would be unforgettable, too. Jonathan Widran
Tracklist :
1. Walkin' My Baby Back Home 2:30
 Fred E. Ahlert / Roy Turk
2. Candy 5:33
 Mack David / Alex Kramer / Joan Whitney
3. Welcome To The Club 3:21
 Noel Sherman / Dick Wolf
4. Indiana 3:23
 James F. Hanley / Ballard MacDonald
5. I Love You For Sentimental Reasons 2:52
 William "Pat" Best / Deek Watson
6. Don't Let It Go To Your Head 2:23
 Henry Hadamik / Frank LaVere / Bob Nast
7. Meet Me At No Special Place 3:19
 Henry Pyle / J. Russel Robinson / Arthur Terker
8. The Late Late Show 3:06
 Roy Alfred / Murray Berlin
9. Smile 3:52
 Charlie Chaplin / Geoffrey Parsons / John Turner
10. Tenderly 4:16
 Walter Gross / Jack Lawrence
11. I Was A Little Too Lonely 3:27
 Redd Evans / Jay Livingston
12. I'm An Errand Boy For Rhythm 3:34
 Nat King Cole
13. Then I'll Be Tired Of You 4:02
 E.Y. "Yip" Harburg / Arthur Schwartz
14. That's Nat 3:04
 John Pizzarelli
15. Azure-Te 3:51
 Bill Davis / Don Wolf
16. I Know That You Know 3:43
 Anne Caldwell / Vincent Youmans
17. Embraceable You 3:28
 George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
18. I Like Jersey Best 7:17
Credits :
John Pizzarelli - Guitar, Vocals
Ray Kennedy - Piano
Martin Pizzarelli - Bass
Guest: Harry Allen - Tenor Sax (tracks: 6, 13)

NICKI PARROTT — Moon River (2008-2014) RM | SACD | Serie Venus Hyper Magnum Sound DSD Mastering | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Since leaving her native Australia to settle in the U.S., bassist/singer Nicki Parrott has settled into the New York City jazz scene and the jazz party circuit, with occasional recording opportunities coming her way as a leader. These 2007 sessions recorded for the Japanese Venus label showcase her engaging vocals and bass chops, backed by pianist John Di Martino, guitarist Paul Meyers, drummer Billy Drummond, and on some tracks, tenor saxophonist Harry Allen. She doesn't showboat as a singer, opting to glide gently around the core of each melody, with a light, swinging style that proves highly effective. Especially fun are her renditions of "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" (which is seductive) and a hip, bluesy "Makin' Whoopee." Warmly recommended.  Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1 Moon River 3:57
Written By – H. Mancini - J. Mercer
2 Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby 4:02

Written By – L. Jordan - B. Austin
3 Say It Isn't So 4:33
Written-By – D. Raye, G. DePaul
4 You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To 3:35
Written-By – C. Porter
5 Takin' A Chance On Love 5:08
Written By – V. Duke - J. LaTouche, T. Fetter
6 I Don't Know Enough About You 4:45
Written By – P. Lee - D. Barbour
7 Makin' Whoopee 3:59
Written By – W. Donaldson - G. Kahn
8 Cry Me A River 3:59
Written-By – A. Hamilton
9 What A Difference A Day Made 3:42
Written By – M. Grever - S. Adams
10 Besame Mucho 4:36
Written By – C. Velazquez - S. Skylar
11 I Can't Give You Anything But Love 4:18
Written-By – J. McHugh - D. Fields
12 Nicki's Blues 2:50
Written-By – N. Parrott
13 The More I See You 5:50
Written By – H. Warren - M. Gordon
Credits :
Drums – Billy Drummond 
Guitar – Paul Myers
Piano – John Di Martino 
Tenor Saxophone – Harry Allen
Vocals, Bass – Nicki Parrott

LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1937-1938 | The Classics Chronological Series – 515 (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

22 of Armstrong's big-band recordings and a couple selections with The Mills Brothers are taken in chronological order. A few ("I Double Dare You," "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and his first version of "The Saints") are classics but mostly it is a matter of Armstrong joyfully uplifting mundane material, often higher up than it deserves. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree 2:19
Egbert VanAlstyne / Harry Williams
2     The Old Folks at Home 2:23
Stephen Foster
3     Public Melody Number One 3:09
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
4     Yours and Mine 2:42
Nacio Herb Brown / Arthur Freed
5     Red Cap 3:09
Louis Armstrong / Ben Hecht
6     She's the Daughter of a Planter from Havana 3:18
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin
7     Alexander's Ragtime Band 2:36
Irving Berlin
8     Cuban Pete 3:08
Jose Norman
9     I've Got a Heart Full of Rhythm 3:08
Louis Armstrong / Horace Gerlach
10     Sun Showers 2:41
Nacio Herb Brown / Arthur Freed
11     Once in a While 3:08
Michael Edwards / Bud Green
12     On the Sunny Side of the Street 2:59
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
13     Satchel Mouth Swing 2:35
Lil Hardin Armstrong / Louis Armstrong / Clarence Williams / Harry Williams
14     Jubilee 2:36
Stanley Adams / Hoagy Carmichael / Louis Jordan
15     Struttin' With Some Barbecue 2:58
Lil Hardin Armstrong / Louis Armstrong / Lil Hardin / Don Raye
16     The Trumpet Player's Lament 2:54
Johnny Burke / James V. Monaco
17     I Double Dare You 2:57
Jim Eaton / Terry Shand
18     True Confession 3:06
Sam Coslow / Frederick Hollander
19     Let That Be a Lesson to You 2:35
Johnny Mercer / Richard A. Whiting
20     Sweet as a Song 3:05
Mack Gordon / Harry Revel
21     So Little Time (So Much to Do) 2:44
Peter DeRose / Billy Hill
22     Mexican Swing 2:38
Terry Shand
23     As Long as You Live 2:15
Bernie Hanighen / Johnny Mercer
24     When the Saints Go Marching In 2:43
James Black / Traditional

BECKY KILGORE & NICKI PARROTT - Two Songbirds of a Feather (2015) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

  A unique recording by two seasoned jazz vocalists and musicians, Rebecca Becky Kilgore and Nicki Parrott, beautifully showcasing their original style and flair with the American popular songbook.

Some jazz voices-Ella and Louis, Carmen and Betty, Bing and Rosie-seem made for one another. The bi-generational teaming of Rebecca (Becky) Kilgore and Nicki Parrott flaunts that it-had-to-happen spirit. Best evidence among this baker’s dozen tracks is the closer, a gossamer “When I Grow Too Old to Dream,” performed a cappella, laying bare how sublimely their slightly sweet (Parrott) and slightly salty (Kilgore) voices meld. With Parrott doubling on bass and Kilgore on guitar, they’re joined across the remainder by saxophonist Harry Allen (a go-to collaborator of Kilgore’s), drummer Chuck Reed and-arguably the best piano accompanist a singer could ask for-Mike Renzi.

On 2013’s Some Like It Hot, Kilgore’s salute to songs associated with Marilyn Monroe, her set list included “When Love Goes Wrong” and “A Little Girl From Little Rock” from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Both are revisited here as peppy duets (the latter is retitled “Two Little Girls From Little Rock”), as Monroe performed them with Jane Russell. Kilgore’s reputation as an indefatigable music archeologist is reconfirmed with such wonderful buried treasures as Ray Noble’s “Why Stars Come Out at Night” (paired with his “The Very Thought of You”), Johnny Mandel and Dave Frishberg’s whimsical “El Cajon” and the Mildred Bailey anthem “A Woman’s Prerogative.” Along with some well-crafted standards-“Them There Eyes,” “They Say It’s Spring” and “‘S Wonderful”-there’s a felicitous original, the title tune, written by Parrott’s husband and reminiscent of Bobby Darin and Johnny Mercer’s delightful comingling on “Two of a Kind.” by Christopher Loudon

Tracklist:

1. Two Little Girls From Little Rock (03:32)

2. Two Songbirds Of A Feather (03:51)

3. Ray Noble Medley (05:05)

4. Life Is So Peculiar (04:06)

5. When Love Goes Wrong (03:35)

6. S'wonderful (03:54)

7. Theme from Valley Of The Dolls (04:49)

8. They Say It's Spring (04:32)

9. Bluemoon Moonglow (04:18)

10. Them There Eyes (03:23)

11. A Woman's Prerogotive (03:57)

12. El Cajon (03:25)

13. When I Grow Too Old To Dream (05:01)

Credits:

Harry Allen - Saxophone

Rebecca Kilgore - Guitar, Vocals

Nicki Parrott - Bass, Vocals

Chuck Redd - Drums

Mike Renzi - Piano

JESSICA MOLASKEY – Sitting in Limbo (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jessica Molaskey came up with a list of "limbo songs" for her fourth CD, describing them as pieces where someone is trying to figure out the difference between what seems to be taking place vs. what is actually going on. With a fine band that includes her husband, John Pizzarelli, on guitar, bassist Martin Pizzarelli, and drummer Tony Tedesco, with either Larry Goldings or Larry Fuller on piano, plus several appearances by saxophonist Harry Allen, she offers thoughtful interpretations of material drawn from the pop and rock of several decades, a few standards, and a pair of originals. She works magic with the unpromising soul hit "O-o-h Child" -- a simplistic ballad with a trite two-line lyric -- by slowing its tempo, accompanied solely by Goldings' thoughtful arrangement. Her humorous side comes out as she and her spouse interpolate "I Want to Be Happy" and "Sometimes I'm Happy" in a playful, sometimes conversational setting. They also jointly wrote the subtle but amusing ballad "Knowing You." This veteran Broadway singer/actress continues to shine in the spotlight, whether in the studio for a recording date or on-stage. Ken Dryden   
Tracklist :
1 Sitting in Limbo 3:58
Gully Bright / Jimmy Cliff
2 Heavy Cloud, No Rain 3:09
Jessica Molaskey
3 Summer, Highland Falls 4:16
Billy Joel
4 Ooh Child 3:00
Stan Vincent
5 I Want to Be Happy/Sometimes I'm Happy 2:13
Clifford Grey / Vincent Youmans
6 There Will Never Be Another You 3:12
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
7 Knowing You 4:31
Jessica Molaskey / John Pizzarelli
8 I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter 3:31
Fred E. Ahlert / Joe Young
9 The Circle Game/Waters of March 4:48
Joni Mitchell
10 Walkin' After Midnight 3:35
Don Hecht
11 Hearts and Bones 4:11
Paul Simon
12 Morning Has Broken/I Woke Up One Early Morning 4:26
Eleanor Farjeon / Jessica Molaskey / John Pizzarelli / Traditional
Credits :
Bass – Martin Pizzarelli
Drums – Tony Tedesco
Guitar – John Pizzarelli
Piano – Larry Fuller (tracks: 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10)
Piano, Organ – Larry Goldings (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12)
Saxophone – Harry Allen