KURT ELLING - Passion World
Concord Records 0888072368415
Kurt Elling (vcl) John McClean (gtrs) Gary Versace (pno, fender rhodes, hammond b3, accord) Clark Summers (bs) Kendrick Scott (drs, vcl)
With, on some tracks : Til Bronner (tpt) Frank Chastenier (pno)) Alan Pasqua (celeste) Sara Gazarek (vcl) Arturo Sandoval (tpt) James Shipp (perc, vcl) Tommy Smith (ten) Karoline Strassmayer (saxes) Francisco Torres (perc, vcl)
With a Grammy and nine further nominations on his cv it is little wonder that Kurt Elling is thought of as the pre-eminent male jazz singer of his generation. However he is not the first choice for all and many feel that there is a marked unevenness in the eleven recordings he has issued to date. However his last recording "1619 Broadway" was a masterpiece in both concept and delivery.
The material on "Passion World" is mostly from the non jazz world and was taken from across the globe, as are the supporting musicians. There is always a sense of high anticipation when a new Kurt Elling album is released, but there always seems to be highs, lows and surprises. This album is no exception.
The first two offerings "The Verse" and the Pat Metheny composition "After The Door", previously known as "Another Life", are both very straightforward ballads with Gary Versace's outstanding piano contribution to the fore. "Loch Tay Boat Song", although with a rather depressing lyric has a masterful vocal against the excellent background of The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra with Tommy Smith smoldering out front on Tenor as only he can.
Two percussionists are introduced along with accordion for "Si Te Contra", an upbeat and rhythmic piece, sung in Spanish with the addition of a male harmony chorus before the close. There could be no greater contrast than the magnificent rendering of the Edith Piaf classic "La Vie En Rose" that follows. This is an eight minute extravaganza where the first choruses are sung with great feeling in the songs native tongue before Vienesse saxophinist Karoline Strassmayer emerges from the backdrop of the Big Band with a superb solo on alto. The mood changes as English lyrics, not from the original composition are utilised adding more depth and interest before the final verses are repeated in French.
"Bonita Cuba" finds veteran Cuban trumpet man Arturo Sandoval in a restrained and melodic mood for the opening bars before the leaders own lyrics are delivered with customary passion on themes reflecting alternative life styles, death and unhappiness. The vocal on "Where The Streets Have No Name" somewhat adds to the gloom although John McClean's acoustic guitar solo is out of the top drawer and there is fine accompaniment from the Hammond B3 and drummer Kendrick Scott.
"The Tangled Road" by Richard Galliano is a masterpiece of lyric writing and introduces the superb Till Bonner on trumpet. The words of this Billie Holiday tribute are delivered in the clearest possible diction and at times in the highest possible vocal register. The Bossa Nova "Voce Ja Foi a Bahia" is an unremarkable vocal duo with Sara Gazarek sung straight from the page with little jazz overtones.
"Nicht Wandle" from the classical world of Liebeslieder benefits from the backdrop of the NDR Big Band with pianist Frank Chastenier to the fore. This has superb harmonies enhanced by a floating delivery in German and is one of the albums highlights. The penultimate track is another straight forward love song "Who Is It" with background vocals supplementing the core quartet.
Bringing the album quietly to a close is the beautiful "Where Love Is", a piece often performed in a choir setting. Here the relaxed delivery is supported by guitar, bass and accordion in a dream like and almost perfect arrangement.
Overall this is an album of high artistic merit, ideal for the vocal connoisseur, but perhaps with less jazz content than some would wish for.
Reviewed By Jim Burlong
Concord Records 0888072368415
Kurt Elling (vcl) John McClean (gtrs) Gary Versace (pno, fender rhodes, hammond b3, accord) Clark Summers (bs) Kendrick Scott (drs, vcl)
With, on some tracks : Til Bronner (tpt) Frank Chastenier (pno)) Alan Pasqua (celeste) Sara Gazarek (vcl) Arturo Sandoval (tpt) James Shipp (perc, vcl) Tommy Smith (ten) Karoline Strassmayer (saxes) Francisco Torres (perc, vcl)
With a Grammy and nine further nominations on his cv it is little wonder that Kurt Elling is thought of as the pre-eminent male jazz singer of his generation. However he is not the first choice for all and many feel that there is a marked unevenness in the eleven recordings he has issued to date. However his last recording "1619 Broadway" was a masterpiece in both concept and delivery.
The material on "Passion World" is mostly from the non jazz world and was taken from across the globe, as are the supporting musicians. There is always a sense of high anticipation when a new Kurt Elling album is released, but there always seems to be highs, lows and surprises. This album is no exception.
The first two offerings "The Verse" and the Pat Metheny composition "After The Door", previously known as "Another Life", are both very straightforward ballads with Gary Versace's outstanding piano contribution to the fore. "Loch Tay Boat Song", although with a rather depressing lyric has a masterful vocal against the excellent background of The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra with Tommy Smith smoldering out front on Tenor as only he can.
Two percussionists are introduced along with accordion for "Si Te Contra", an upbeat and rhythmic piece, sung in Spanish with the addition of a male harmony chorus before the close. There could be no greater contrast than the magnificent rendering of the Edith Piaf classic "La Vie En Rose" that follows. This is an eight minute extravaganza where the first choruses are sung with great feeling in the songs native tongue before Vienesse saxophinist Karoline Strassmayer emerges from the backdrop of the Big Band with a superb solo on alto. The mood changes as English lyrics, not from the original composition are utilised adding more depth and interest before the final verses are repeated in French.
"Bonita Cuba" finds veteran Cuban trumpet man Arturo Sandoval in a restrained and melodic mood for the opening bars before the leaders own lyrics are delivered with customary passion on themes reflecting alternative life styles, death and unhappiness. The vocal on "Where The Streets Have No Name" somewhat adds to the gloom although John McClean's acoustic guitar solo is out of the top drawer and there is fine accompaniment from the Hammond B3 and drummer Kendrick Scott.
"The Tangled Road" by Richard Galliano is a masterpiece of lyric writing and introduces the superb Till Bonner on trumpet. The words of this Billie Holiday tribute are delivered in the clearest possible diction and at times in the highest possible vocal register. The Bossa Nova "Voce Ja Foi a Bahia" is an unremarkable vocal duo with Sara Gazarek sung straight from the page with little jazz overtones.
"Nicht Wandle" from the classical world of Liebeslieder benefits from the backdrop of the NDR Big Band with pianist Frank Chastenier to the fore. This has superb harmonies enhanced by a floating delivery in German and is one of the albums highlights. The penultimate track is another straight forward love song "Who Is It" with background vocals supplementing the core quartet.
Bringing the album quietly to a close is the beautiful "Where Love Is", a piece often performed in a choir setting. Here the relaxed delivery is supported by guitar, bass and accordion in a dream like and almost perfect arrangement.
Overall this is an album of high artistic merit, ideal for the vocal connoisseur, but perhaps with less jazz content than some would wish for.
Reviewed By Jim Burlong
