REBECCA DUMAINE & THE DAVE MILLER COMBO - Chez Nous
Summit Records DCD 748
Rebecca Dumaine (v); Dave Miller (p); Chuck Bennett (b); Bill Belasco (d); Brad Buethe (elg)
Recorded Oakland CA June 20 & 21 2018
Rebecca Dumaine and Dave Miller are working together here for their fifth record. Father and daughter, the two are certainly very musically compatible and have a good sound together. Inspired, according to the sleeve notes, by the George Shearing, Nancy Wilson recording in the 1960s, there is a picture of that album on the back cover of this CD. Whatever their initial motivation, this father and daughter album works well because Ms Dumaine has a warm, friendly sounding voice and her articulation is spot on. She is always in tune and swings impressively. As to Dad’s combo, the group have been together for a long time and it shows in the cohesiveness of their playing together. The programme chosen works well too because it is a balance of well and lesser known standards.
First up is When In Rome which Rebecca sings with what appears to be a smile in her voice. She certainly swings easily on the beat and there are neat solos from Dave Millar on piano and guest guitarist Brad Buethe. Rebecca seems to be livelier and more comfortable on popular standards and has extremely good versions here of I’ve Never Been In Love Before and You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me. She has that not so common ability to put over each song as though she believes every word in the lyric. Tangerine, not heard a lot these days suits her very well and she does a good job on Lennon and McCartney’s Yesterday, personalizing the song to suit her delivery. The rarely performed Rodgers and Hart song Do It The Hard Way is given a brisk reading, inspired, Rebecca says, by the Chet Baker version on his album, Chet Baker Sings on Riverside.
Because of a combination of good, straightforward singing and playing and an interesting, varied programme, this CD is very enjoyable. Nothing earth shattering but a set that is likely to be played frequently and enjoyed.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
Summit Records DCD 748
Rebecca Dumaine (v); Dave Miller (p); Chuck Bennett (b); Bill Belasco (d); Brad Buethe (elg)
Recorded Oakland CA June 20 & 21 2018
Rebecca Dumaine and Dave Miller are working together here for their fifth record. Father and daughter, the two are certainly very musically compatible and have a good sound together. Inspired, according to the sleeve notes, by the George Shearing, Nancy Wilson recording in the 1960s, there is a picture of that album on the back cover of this CD. Whatever their initial motivation, this father and daughter album works well because Ms Dumaine has a warm, friendly sounding voice and her articulation is spot on. She is always in tune and swings impressively. As to Dad’s combo, the group have been together for a long time and it shows in the cohesiveness of their playing together. The programme chosen works well too because it is a balance of well and lesser known standards.
First up is When In Rome which Rebecca sings with what appears to be a smile in her voice. She certainly swings easily on the beat and there are neat solos from Dave Millar on piano and guest guitarist Brad Buethe. Rebecca seems to be livelier and more comfortable on popular standards and has extremely good versions here of I’ve Never Been In Love Before and You’re Getting To Be A Habit With Me. She has that not so common ability to put over each song as though she believes every word in the lyric. Tangerine, not heard a lot these days suits her very well and she does a good job on Lennon and McCartney’s Yesterday, personalizing the song to suit her delivery. The rarely performed Rodgers and Hart song Do It The Hard Way is given a brisk reading, inspired, Rebecca says, by the Chet Baker version on his album, Chet Baker Sings on Riverside.
Because of a combination of good, straightforward singing and playing and an interesting, varied programme, this CD is very enjoyable. Nothing earth shattering but a set that is likely to be played frequently and enjoyed.
Reviewed by Derek Ansell
