ANNIE LIGHTLY - Lightly Does It / Now And Again
AL2016
Annie Lightly (vcl) Tom Phelan (pno, rhodes) Terry Pack bs, Milo Fell (drs, perc) with James McMillan (tpt, flg, ten h) Jack Kendon (tpt, flg) Mark Bassey (tro) Geoff Simkins (alt) Greg Heath (ten, alt,flt)
Vocalist Annie Lightly, who now lives in the Brighton area, comes from a family steeped in the classical music tradition with both her father and mother being high profile performers on violin and cello respectively. It was not until she spent time with her grandmother that her eyes were open to the possibilities within the Blues, Folk and The Great American Song Book. Inevitability this led to Jazz and after a period of time learning her craft through workshops and tutorials before ultimately joining the vocal choir within bass man Terry Pack's, big band "Trees". (www.treesensemble.org).
With the encouragement from musicians within Trees and others, Annie embarked on the recording sessions for her own debut album. It would have been more than understandable if this first release had been standard fare, such as a few numbers by top tune smiths from the last century, plus perhaps an example or two from contemporary writers for balance. But no ,this was not how things were going to be. This is a stunning album of eighteen tracks over two discs, showcasing not only the work of many of the most respected composers of the modern jazz era, but features six occasions where the vocalist has added her own sophisticated lyrics to the original scores. The tone of the album is perhaps best illustrated by a partial role call of the writers involved: Chick Corea, Horace Silver, Sam Rivers, Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, Kenny Wheeler and Carla Bley, to name just a few.
The style of vocal delivery is light (no pun intended) although authoritative and respectful of the original scores, but with no fear of adding a personal touch where appropriate. The band is underpinned by a fine rhythm section at it's core behind superb solo contributions from the front line, with trumpet man James McMillan, who also mixed and mastered the album, perhaps taking the honours. When you hear this album, you will find many highlights. There are four that particularly stand out for me. Firstly the opener "High Wire", also known as "The Aerialist", accredited to Chick Corea and Tony Coham. Here the atmosphere is full of optimism, as the lyric is delivered in an upbeat, although refined style with notable contributions from piano and Geoff Simkin's alto . "Concorde" is an original with words and music by the vocalist. This is a romantic sketch of love found, lost and remembered, sung over a trio support until the trombone of Mark Bassey adds even more colour towards the close. Louis Bonfa's classic "Gentle Rain" , a cornerstone composition of the somewhat over critiicised Bosa Nova era, is given the full Brazilian treatment with trio setting a perfect backdrop for a considered vocal rendition of the tune, alongside a very fine trumpet interlude. Topping everything however is " Blue In Green" by Miles (or was it really Bill Evans ?). There have been a number of notable covers of this great work in the past. The Cassandra Wilson version, re-titled "Sea And Sky" from her 1999 tribute album Travelling Miles and the recently released cut by Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra on Time Life easily fall to mind. Here the musicians set the scene with a very sideways glance with only hints of the theme from James McMillan in an ethereal opening which only gives way to the vocal after nearly three minutes. Then the singers exquisite original lyrics seem to float over the backdrop, punctuated by more Miles like Harmon mute and a further reprise of the melody bring things to a close. Without doubt this and many of the other pieces on the album comfortably sit alongside the work of perhaps more well known artists and go to prove the enormous quality and talent of so many jazz artists that we are fortunate to have right here on our own doorsteps.
To purchase the recording contact Annie Lightly by e.mail at: jazzannie88@gmail.com
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
AL2016
Annie Lightly (vcl) Tom Phelan (pno, rhodes) Terry Pack bs, Milo Fell (drs, perc) with James McMillan (tpt, flg, ten h) Jack Kendon (tpt, flg) Mark Bassey (tro) Geoff Simkins (alt) Greg Heath (ten, alt,flt)
Vocalist Annie Lightly, who now lives in the Brighton area, comes from a family steeped in the classical music tradition with both her father and mother being high profile performers on violin and cello respectively. It was not until she spent time with her grandmother that her eyes were open to the possibilities within the Blues, Folk and The Great American Song Book. Inevitability this led to Jazz and after a period of time learning her craft through workshops and tutorials before ultimately joining the vocal choir within bass man Terry Pack's, big band "Trees". (www.treesensemble.org).
With the encouragement from musicians within Trees and others, Annie embarked on the recording sessions for her own debut album. It would have been more than understandable if this first release had been standard fare, such as a few numbers by top tune smiths from the last century, plus perhaps an example or two from contemporary writers for balance. But no ,this was not how things were going to be. This is a stunning album of eighteen tracks over two discs, showcasing not only the work of many of the most respected composers of the modern jazz era, but features six occasions where the vocalist has added her own sophisticated lyrics to the original scores. The tone of the album is perhaps best illustrated by a partial role call of the writers involved: Chick Corea, Horace Silver, Sam Rivers, Miles Davis, McCoy Tyner, Kenny Wheeler and Carla Bley, to name just a few.
The style of vocal delivery is light (no pun intended) although authoritative and respectful of the original scores, but with no fear of adding a personal touch where appropriate. The band is underpinned by a fine rhythm section at it's core behind superb solo contributions from the front line, with trumpet man James McMillan, who also mixed and mastered the album, perhaps taking the honours. When you hear this album, you will find many highlights. There are four that particularly stand out for me. Firstly the opener "High Wire", also known as "The Aerialist", accredited to Chick Corea and Tony Coham. Here the atmosphere is full of optimism, as the lyric is delivered in an upbeat, although refined style with notable contributions from piano and Geoff Simkin's alto . "Concorde" is an original with words and music by the vocalist. This is a romantic sketch of love found, lost and remembered, sung over a trio support until the trombone of Mark Bassey adds even more colour towards the close. Louis Bonfa's classic "Gentle Rain" , a cornerstone composition of the somewhat over critiicised Bosa Nova era, is given the full Brazilian treatment with trio setting a perfect backdrop for a considered vocal rendition of the tune, alongside a very fine trumpet interlude. Topping everything however is " Blue In Green" by Miles (or was it really Bill Evans ?). There have been a number of notable covers of this great work in the past. The Cassandra Wilson version, re-titled "Sea And Sky" from her 1999 tribute album Travelling Miles and the recently released cut by Charlie Haden's Liberation Music Orchestra on Time Life easily fall to mind. Here the musicians set the scene with a very sideways glance with only hints of the theme from James McMillan in an ethereal opening which only gives way to the vocal after nearly three minutes. Then the singers exquisite original lyrics seem to float over the backdrop, punctuated by more Miles like Harmon mute and a further reprise of the melody bring things to a close. Without doubt this and many of the other pieces on the album comfortably sit alongside the work of perhaps more well known artists and go to prove the enormous quality and talent of so many jazz artists that we are fortunate to have right here on our own doorsteps.
To purchase the recording contact Annie Lightly by e.mail at: jazzannie88@gmail.com
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
