SARA DOWLING - From Shadows Into Light
Self produced recording, available from www.saradmusic.uk
Sara Dowling (vcl), Rob Barron (pno), Jeremy Brown (bs), Matt Home (drs) with Mike Outram (gtr) & Andrew Kingsland (org) on track 9
To succeed in the crowded world of the female jazz vocalist, either commercially or to obtain critical acclaim, it is an absolute necessity above all things to be different, or a class apart.
This lady has triumphed on both counts with a remarkable one off voice and great individuality in her phrasing and approach to both standards and the original compositions recorded here.
Having graduated from The Royal Northern College Of Music she is also an accomplished cellist and has forged a successful career for herself as a composer for film and television alongside her significant work in corporate advertising. For this recording she has chosen a formidable group of musicians who compliment her unique vocal delivery.
The album consists of four well known standards, three pieces from the pens of major jazz musicians and two that are written with her pianist. Things kick off with a bass intro to the Kurt Weill / Ira Gershwin classic "My Ship" and when the vocal begins and the rhythm section fully joins the fray you experience a quality of performance which is held throughout the session. Vocal gymnastics even at the highest of tempos are delivered with surety on the self penned "Take me To the Sun" and "You've Got My Heart On A String". Great story telling comes to prominence on Gigi Grice's "Social Call" and the Mitchell Parrish evergreen "Stars Fell On Alabama". Billy Strayhorn himself would have loved the opening unaccompanied vocal on "Lush Life" along with Rob Barron's subtle piano interlude. "Open The Door" catches Sara paying homage to the style of it's composer, Betty Carter alongside an imaginative drum contribution from Matt Home.
As if these fine performances were not sufficient there is still room for two major highlights: Firstly the concise but high velocity rendering of "My Favourite Things" plus the closing track featuring guitar, organ and a highly imaginative vocal reading on the main theme from Henry Mancini's score for the 1967 film "Two For The Road".
In summary this is a high quality vocal jazz album, enhanced by superb sound quality and recorded by a quartet fully in touch with each other's musical ideas.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
Self produced recording, available from www.saradmusic.uk
Sara Dowling (vcl), Rob Barron (pno), Jeremy Brown (bs), Matt Home (drs) with Mike Outram (gtr) & Andrew Kingsland (org) on track 9
To succeed in the crowded world of the female jazz vocalist, either commercially or to obtain critical acclaim, it is an absolute necessity above all things to be different, or a class apart.
This lady has triumphed on both counts with a remarkable one off voice and great individuality in her phrasing and approach to both standards and the original compositions recorded here.
Having graduated from The Royal Northern College Of Music she is also an accomplished cellist and has forged a successful career for herself as a composer for film and television alongside her significant work in corporate advertising. For this recording she has chosen a formidable group of musicians who compliment her unique vocal delivery.
The album consists of four well known standards, three pieces from the pens of major jazz musicians and two that are written with her pianist. Things kick off with a bass intro to the Kurt Weill / Ira Gershwin classic "My Ship" and when the vocal begins and the rhythm section fully joins the fray you experience a quality of performance which is held throughout the session. Vocal gymnastics even at the highest of tempos are delivered with surety on the self penned "Take me To the Sun" and "You've Got My Heart On A String". Great story telling comes to prominence on Gigi Grice's "Social Call" and the Mitchell Parrish evergreen "Stars Fell On Alabama". Billy Strayhorn himself would have loved the opening unaccompanied vocal on "Lush Life" along with Rob Barron's subtle piano interlude. "Open The Door" catches Sara paying homage to the style of it's composer, Betty Carter alongside an imaginative drum contribution from Matt Home.
As if these fine performances were not sufficient there is still room for two major highlights: Firstly the concise but high velocity rendering of "My Favourite Things" plus the closing track featuring guitar, organ and a highly imaginative vocal reading on the main theme from Henry Mancini's score for the 1967 film "Two For The Road".
In summary this is a high quality vocal jazz album, enhanced by superb sound quality and recorded by a quartet fully in touch with each other's musical ideas.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
