DARA TUCKER - Dreams Of Waking
GREENHILL GHD6344
Dara Tucker (v) with accompaniment including Cyrus Chestnut, Sullivan Fortner (p); Dezron Douglas (b); Jonathan Blake (d); Giveton Gelin (t); John Ellis (ts, sss
Recorded 29 & 30 November & December 1 2020. Astoria. New York.
This is a programme of popular songs with one written by the vocalist. The music is by Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Marvin Gaye and Carole King. There is one standard, Make Someone Happy by Jule Styne and Betty Comden and the gospel opus, Wade In The Water. Apart from those last two mentioned there is little jazz in the way of vocals here as Ms Tucker is basically a good popular singer with a strong voice and the ability to put the songs over convincingly. The accompaniment is a different story though. Seven of the twelve tracks feature Cyrus Chestnut on piano with sterling rhythm section support from Dezron Douglas on bass and Johnathon Blake at the drums. These three get a good workout in the background and swing the music wherever possible. Someday We’ll All Be Free has a fine piano solo and Wade In The Water features a heartfelt vocal and is finished off with the rhythm section swinging it to a rousing conclusion. Love’s In Need Of Love Today and You’ve Got A Friend are good examples of what to expect here.
Cyrus Chestnut is responsible for four arrangements and pianist Sullivan Fortner arranged three. David M. Rogers was responsible for two including Wade In The Water. Four tracks feature trumpet lines from Giveton Gelin and John Ellis plays tenor or soprano sax on four selections. This is really a good programme of popular music with jazz stylings and backings by the musicians but may well be of limited appeal to lovers of jazz vocal music. Something of a hybrid really but the tune titles will indicate whether or not the album is likely to appeal to you or not. Randy Newman’s I Think Its Going To Rain Today ends the recital with Ms Tucker in good voice supported only by Fortner’s piano.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
GREENHILL GHD6344
Dara Tucker (v) with accompaniment including Cyrus Chestnut, Sullivan Fortner (p); Dezron Douglas (b); Jonathan Blake (d); Giveton Gelin (t); John Ellis (ts, sss
Recorded 29 & 30 November & December 1 2020. Astoria. New York.
This is a programme of popular songs with one written by the vocalist. The music is by Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Marvin Gaye and Carole King. There is one standard, Make Someone Happy by Jule Styne and Betty Comden and the gospel opus, Wade In The Water. Apart from those last two mentioned there is little jazz in the way of vocals here as Ms Tucker is basically a good popular singer with a strong voice and the ability to put the songs over convincingly. The accompaniment is a different story though. Seven of the twelve tracks feature Cyrus Chestnut on piano with sterling rhythm section support from Dezron Douglas on bass and Johnathon Blake at the drums. These three get a good workout in the background and swing the music wherever possible. Someday We’ll All Be Free has a fine piano solo and Wade In The Water features a heartfelt vocal and is finished off with the rhythm section swinging it to a rousing conclusion. Love’s In Need Of Love Today and You’ve Got A Friend are good examples of what to expect here.
Cyrus Chestnut is responsible for four arrangements and pianist Sullivan Fortner arranged three. David M. Rogers was responsible for two including Wade In The Water. Four tracks feature trumpet lines from Giveton Gelin and John Ellis plays tenor or soprano sax on four selections. This is really a good programme of popular music with jazz stylings and backings by the musicians but may well be of limited appeal to lovers of jazz vocal music. Something of a hybrid really but the tune titles will indicate whether or not the album is likely to appeal to you or not. Randy Newman’s I Think Its Going To Rain Today ends the recital with Ms Tucker in good voice supported only by Fortner’s piano.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
