Rebecca Martin's Middlehope starts out as a quirky collection of jazz
ballads. But about halfway through, the vocalist turns her attention to
two pop/rock-oriented songs by Jesse Harris, who happens to be one of
Norah Jones' main songwriters. In fact, the second of these two, "One
Flight Down," appears on Jones' debut disc, Come Away With Me. Martin
and Jones do seem to share a fondness for the contemporary
singer/songwriter aesthetic, but Martin is more of a jazzer; her
world-weary drawl gives a lift to old tunes like "Bewitched," "The
Sweetest Sounds," "Dindi," and Johnny Mercer's "How Do You Say Auf
Wiedersehn." Martin's band includes husband/bassist Larry Grenadier,
drummer Jorge Rossy, and tenor saxophonist Bill McHenry, but the album's
truly defining sound is created by guitarists Kurt Rosenwinkel and
Steve Cardenas, a twosome who has graced ensembles led by Paul Motian
and Marc Johnson. (They're pretty easy to tell apart; Rosenwinkel takes
most of the solos.) Without any other accompaniment, the guitarists
frame a particularly vulnerable performance by Martin on the closing
"Where Is Love," weaving together shimmering, intersecting lines that
obliquely define each unfolding harmony. The band communicates with
utmost sensitivity on "A Fine Spring Morning," which is played entirely
rubato. And McHenry beautifully shadows the chromatic descending lines
of "Midnight Sun" with carefully chosen harmonies. He also sings (who
knew?) on "Dindi," doubling the tender melody an octave below Martin.
Highly recommended. David R. Adler
Tracklist :
1 The Sweetest Sounds 5:35
Richard Rodgers
2 A Fine Spring Morning 3:51
Written-By – B. Haymes
3 The Midnight Sun 6:04
Written-By – J. Mercer, L. Hampton, S. Burke
4 Dindi 5:25
Lyrics By [Portuguese] – A. Oliveira
Written-By – A. C. Jobim
R. Gilbert
5 How Do You Say Auf Wiedersehen? 4:24
Written-By – T. Scibetta, J. Mercer
6 Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered 5:32
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
7 Then a Wall Came Up Inside Me 3:11
Written-By – J. Harris
8 One Flight Down 3:07
Written-By – J. Harris
9 Ridin' High 3:26
Written-By – C. Porter
10 Where Is Love? 3:26
Written-By – L. Bart
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Larry Grenadier
Classical Guitar [Nylon String], Electric Guitar – Steve Cardenas
Drums – Jorge Rossy
Electric Guitar – Kurt Rosenwinkel
Tenor Saxophone, Vocals – Bill McHenry
Vocals, Producer – Rebecca Martin.jpg)
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