DIANA PANTON - Solstice/Equinox
www.dianapanton.com
Diana Panton (v); Guido Basso (t, flh); Phil Dwyer (as, ts, sop); Reg Schwager (elg); Don Thompson (b, p, vib)
Toronto August 2016
Beginning with They Say It’s Spring, a superior but largely neglected popular song until recently, Diana Panton gives a warm performance, aided by a smooth soprano solo from Dwyer. Spring and summer are certainly the main themes throughout this attractive recital with odes to all the warm or hot seasons included. Even September in The Rain would you believe? Dwyer gets a good proportion of the solo work here and his lyrical solos and obligates, particularly on soprano behind Diana are ideal for her voice. The Heather On The Hill works very well with a rich vocal and soprano in the background.
Ms Panton has a warm, rich and jazz friendly voice which is often understated to good effect. There is an intimacy in her delivery which is similar to the late Blossom Dearie, possibly an inspiration although Diana has an original turn of phrase on most tracks. She has a way of making the listener feel she is singing directly to him or her, not an easy accomplishment. Her breathy vocal on That Sunday, That Summer is ideal and matched by a special vibes solo from Thompson. No drums are used on this release but are not really missed on such a laid back, soft approach recital. As to the programme there are a number of very good but not overused standards and a few fine, if unfamiliar tracks. It is all very relaxed and sounds as though they all enjoyed recording the music. And that state, I think, will translate easily to listeners. By the end of the disc we are transported to winter finally with Cloudy Morning, I Like Snow and By The Fireside and a photograph of the vocalist in coat, scarf, hat and mittens to keep out the cold!
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
www.dianapanton.com
Diana Panton (v); Guido Basso (t, flh); Phil Dwyer (as, ts, sop); Reg Schwager (elg); Don Thompson (b, p, vib)
Toronto August 2016
Beginning with They Say It’s Spring, a superior but largely neglected popular song until recently, Diana Panton gives a warm performance, aided by a smooth soprano solo from Dwyer. Spring and summer are certainly the main themes throughout this attractive recital with odes to all the warm or hot seasons included. Even September in The Rain would you believe? Dwyer gets a good proportion of the solo work here and his lyrical solos and obligates, particularly on soprano behind Diana are ideal for her voice. The Heather On The Hill works very well with a rich vocal and soprano in the background.
Ms Panton has a warm, rich and jazz friendly voice which is often understated to good effect. There is an intimacy in her delivery which is similar to the late Blossom Dearie, possibly an inspiration although Diana has an original turn of phrase on most tracks. She has a way of making the listener feel she is singing directly to him or her, not an easy accomplishment. Her breathy vocal on That Sunday, That Summer is ideal and matched by a special vibes solo from Thompson. No drums are used on this release but are not really missed on such a laid back, soft approach recital. As to the programme there are a number of very good but not overused standards and a few fine, if unfamiliar tracks. It is all very relaxed and sounds as though they all enjoyed recording the music. And that state, I think, will translate easily to listeners. By the end of the disc we are transported to winter finally with Cloudy Morning, I Like Snow and By The Fireside and a photograph of the vocalist in coat, scarf, hat and mittens to keep out the cold!
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
