JESSICA MOLASKEY — Pentimento (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

According to Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary, pentimento is defined as "the presence or emergence of earlier images, forms, or strokes that have been painted over." Musical theater star performer Jessica Molaskey's album of the same name gives a jazzy musical twist to this definition by updating songs from the 1920s and '30s. The play list is made up of those wonderful songs that people were enjoying during the pre-Depression flapper and Depression eras. Often their lyrics reflected the social and economic mores of the time, such as "We're in the Money"; others are just lovely songs from a bygone era, some of which have survived quite well to this day. These were the staples of many vaudeville and music hall performers and Tin Pan Alley song pluggers. Molaskey is joined by a stellar cast of musicians as she freshens up these vintage melodies, giving them a somewhat modern sheen, but not enough to completely mask their authenticity as classic American popular songs. The all-star band includes Ken Peplowski with his middle-register clarinet, Larry Goldings, and veteran Johnny Frigo. This group is augmented by Molaskey's husband, guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli, and his father, Bucky Pizzarelli. Molaskey delivers this wonderful material in an ungarnished, straightforward, clear, and pretty voice. She also has a way with taking these oldies and giving them a new look by simply changing the pulse. This happens on "I'm Just Wild About Harry," which is done as a plaintive ballad instead of the usually fast tap-dancing pace of its Broadway introduction in Shuffle Along in 1921. Even more than the pleasant warm feeling of nostalgia this fine album produces, it is a fun album of good music performed by excellent practitioners of their trade. Highly recommended for everybody who enjoys good music. Dave Nathan  
Tracklist :
1 Oh You Beautiful Doll 2:44
Nat D. Ayer / Seymour Brown
2 I'm Just Wild About Harry 3:02
Eubie Blake / Noble Sissle
3 Ain't We Got Fun 3:06
Raymond B. Egan / Gus Kahn / Richard A. Whiting
4 What'll I Do 3:31
Irving Berlin
5 Medley 3:22
Al Dubin / Harry Warren
Jessica Molaskey feat: John Pizzarelli
  6 Waitin' For the Train to Come In 2:29
Martin Block / Sunny Skylar
7 Red, Red Robin 2:42
Harry Woods
8 By the Beautiful Sea 1:57
Harold Atteridge / Harry Carroll
9 I'm Always Chasing Rainbows 2:49
Harry Carroll / Joseph McCarthy
10 Oh, How I Hate to Get up in the Morning 2:46
Irving Berlin
11 You Made Me Love You 4:12
Joseph McCarthy / James V. Monaco
12 I Tried Too Hard For Too Long 1:50
Jessica Molaskey / John Pizzarelli
13 When I Lost You 1:05
Irving Berlin
14 Look For the Silver Lining 1:55
Buddy DeSylva / Jerome Kern
15 I Can't Give You Anything But Love 3:18
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
16 Beautiful Dreamer 1:37
Stephen Foster
17 Sail Away 2:57
Jessica Molaskey / John Pizzarelli
 Credits :
Johnny Frigo - Violin
Larry Goldings - Arranger, Piano, Piano Arrangement
Jesse Levy - Cello
Jessica Molaskey - Arranger, Composer, Vocals
Ken Peplowski - Clarinet
Bucky Pizzarelli - Guitar, Ukulele
John Pizzarelli - Arranger, Composer, Guitar, Producer, Ukulele, Vocals
Martin Pizzarelli - Bass
Tony Tedesco - Brushes, Percussion

HELEN MERRILL - The Nearness of You (1958-1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Alternately breathy and atmospheric or bright and dynamic, Helen Merrill often reaches a bit too far on The Nearness of You, though her distinct style and strong personality may be refreshing to vocal fans tired of the standard versions of standards. Leading two separate sextets -- the rather more famous one, with Bill Evans, Bobby Jaspar, Oscar Pettiford, and Jo Jones, appears on only four tracks -- Merrill breezes over a raft of mid-tempo standards, with several detours through high-drama territory. Her powerful voice occasionally gets her into trouble, breaking from breathy to brash and often occupying a rather awkward middle ground. Still, her ebullient tone and playful way with "Bye, Bye Blackbird," "Let Me Love You," and "All of You" is a treat to hear, and flutist Mike Simpson cuts it up behind her as well. Merrill really shines on the darker material, with just a plucked bass to accompany her on "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," and a similarly spare accompaniment on a long, drawn-out tribute to "Summertime" and "I See Your Face Before Me." by John Bush
Tracklist  :
1 Bye Bye Blackbird 2:56
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson 
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
2 When The Sun Comes Out 4:46
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell 
Piano – Bill Evans
3 I Remember You 2:09

Double Bass – Johnny Frigo

Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson 
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
4 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 3:18
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson  
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
5 Dearly Beloved 2:05
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson  
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
6 Summertime 3:26
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson (5)
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
7 All Of You 3:31
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell  
Piano – Bill Evans
8 I See Your Face Before Me 2:39
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
9 Let Me Love You 2:47
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell 
Piano – Bill Evans
10 The Nearness Of You 4:03
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell 
Piano – Bill Evans
11 This Time The Dream's On Me 2:19
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
12 Just Imagine 3:22
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell
Piano – Bill Evans