GEMMA SHERRY - Let's Get Serious
Tunley Records
Available from Bandcamp
Gemma Sherry (v); Rick Germanson (p); Paul Bollenback (elg); Eric Wheeler (b); Joseph Doubleday (vib); George Coleman jnr (d)
Recorded in Philadelphia 2020
Gemma Sherry has that soft, intimate, little girl voice that is heard in vocalists such as Stacey Kent and the late Blossom Dearie. In fact the first track here is Blossom’s Blues and she sings it much as the composer did with that cute, tongue in cheek style that Blossom employed so effectively. Strong support is forthcoming from a sterling ensemble in which guitarist Paul Bollenback shines. The programme here has been designed to offer happy music to a world that needs it. Well, she’ll get no argument on that and she is successful in a set that covers a batch of light hearted, comic and not overdone standards. The Alley Cat Song suits her throwaway style very well and she also comes across smoothly on the amusing Whatever Lola Wants. On Alley Cat she reminds the listener of Eartha Kitt, another vocalist who always sang with tongue firmly placed in cheek. Try Your Wings is a more serious piece and here Gemma sings it straight with good, clear diction and phrasing. Straighten Up And Fly Right is good fun and benefits from a swinging vibes solo by Joseph Doubleday. His playing is upbeat and inventive throughout.
The singing is bright and cheerful to match the selections and Gemma is very well served by her accompanying band. Germanson is a light touch pianist and there is good, cohesive support from bassist Wheeler and George Coleman Jnr, son of the veteran tenor man, on drums. Gemma’s last CD omitted drums but I feel convinced she appreciated the lift and swing generated by George Coleman here both on sticks and some very tasty brushwork. Although her 2019-2020 world tour was cancelled by Covid, instead of retreating to her home and complaining about it she decided to get out there and make a light, swinging and cheerful record to cheer both audience and herself. It isn’t easy for musicians or any artists or indeed, for any of us but a self produced album is one good way to lighten the mood. This is one of those records.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
Tunley Records
Available from Bandcamp
Gemma Sherry (v); Rick Germanson (p); Paul Bollenback (elg); Eric Wheeler (b); Joseph Doubleday (vib); George Coleman jnr (d)
Recorded in Philadelphia 2020
Gemma Sherry has that soft, intimate, little girl voice that is heard in vocalists such as Stacey Kent and the late Blossom Dearie. In fact the first track here is Blossom’s Blues and she sings it much as the composer did with that cute, tongue in cheek style that Blossom employed so effectively. Strong support is forthcoming from a sterling ensemble in which guitarist Paul Bollenback shines. The programme here has been designed to offer happy music to a world that needs it. Well, she’ll get no argument on that and she is successful in a set that covers a batch of light hearted, comic and not overdone standards. The Alley Cat Song suits her throwaway style very well and she also comes across smoothly on the amusing Whatever Lola Wants. On Alley Cat she reminds the listener of Eartha Kitt, another vocalist who always sang with tongue firmly placed in cheek. Try Your Wings is a more serious piece and here Gemma sings it straight with good, clear diction and phrasing. Straighten Up And Fly Right is good fun and benefits from a swinging vibes solo by Joseph Doubleday. His playing is upbeat and inventive throughout.
The singing is bright and cheerful to match the selections and Gemma is very well served by her accompanying band. Germanson is a light touch pianist and there is good, cohesive support from bassist Wheeler and George Coleman Jnr, son of the veteran tenor man, on drums. Gemma’s last CD omitted drums but I feel convinced she appreciated the lift and swing generated by George Coleman here both on sticks and some very tasty brushwork. Although her 2019-2020 world tour was cancelled by Covid, instead of retreating to her home and complaining about it she decided to get out there and make a light, swinging and cheerful record to cheer both audience and herself. It isn’t easy for musicians or any artists or indeed, for any of us but a self produced album is one good way to lighten the mood. This is one of those records.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
