SCOTT HAMILTON WITH KARIN KROG - The Best Things In Life
Stunt STUCD15192
Scott Hamilton ( tnr ) Karin Krog ( vocal ) Jan Lundgren ( pno ) Hans Backenroth ( bass ) Kristian Leth ( drs )
Recorded Copenhagen, July 2015
The Norwegian singer Karin Krog has been a mainstay of the jazz scene for nearly sixty years working with most of the Scandinavian musician plus many American and UK musicians. She is a versatile vocalist not afraid to venture into uncharted waters.
It is many years now since Scott Hamilton burst upon the jazz scene as a young hopeful playing in the style of an older generation of tenor saxophone players. He has now developed a style that has taken on board all the better elements of the changes in the approach to the way the tenor saxophone has developed, he is now one of the best players around today playing in any style.
Led by pianist Jan Lundgren the accompanying trio is it gets, they have recently recorded on the Stunt label with tenor player Harry Allen producing a fine album.
The album is based loosely on songs associated with singer Billie Holiday and Scott Hamilton is featured on a number of tracks with the rhythm section .
The opening track “The Best Things in Life are Free” is the only track on which singer Karin Krog shows any vulnerability in her delivery but as she is now in her seventy ninth year this can be expected but from there on in she is a perfect example of a jazz singer.
Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields composition “I Must Have That Man” is as perfect as you can get with both Karin Krog and Scott Hamilton at the best with the number taken at a tempo which brings out the intricacies of the song.
“Don’t Get Scared” is a vocalese version of the instrumental recording by Stan Getz and Lars Gullin which finds Karin Krog sounding uncannily like Annie Ross.
On the quartet tracks Scott Hamilton produces his usual flawless playing backed by a superb trio. The little heard Errol Garner composition “Shake It, But Don’t Break It” is taken at the perfect tempo which brings out the best in Scott Hamilton and the rest of the group.
This is a great release and should be snapped up by any discerning buyer who is a lover of good singing or brilliant saxophone playing.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Stunt STUCD15192
Scott Hamilton ( tnr ) Karin Krog ( vocal ) Jan Lundgren ( pno ) Hans Backenroth ( bass ) Kristian Leth ( drs )
Recorded Copenhagen, July 2015
The Norwegian singer Karin Krog has been a mainstay of the jazz scene for nearly sixty years working with most of the Scandinavian musician plus many American and UK musicians. She is a versatile vocalist not afraid to venture into uncharted waters.
It is many years now since Scott Hamilton burst upon the jazz scene as a young hopeful playing in the style of an older generation of tenor saxophone players. He has now developed a style that has taken on board all the better elements of the changes in the approach to the way the tenor saxophone has developed, he is now one of the best players around today playing in any style.
Led by pianist Jan Lundgren the accompanying trio is it gets, they have recently recorded on the Stunt label with tenor player Harry Allen producing a fine album.
The album is based loosely on songs associated with singer Billie Holiday and Scott Hamilton is featured on a number of tracks with the rhythm section .
The opening track “The Best Things in Life are Free” is the only track on which singer Karin Krog shows any vulnerability in her delivery but as she is now in her seventy ninth year this can be expected but from there on in she is a perfect example of a jazz singer.
Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields composition “I Must Have That Man” is as perfect as you can get with both Karin Krog and Scott Hamilton at the best with the number taken at a tempo which brings out the intricacies of the song.
“Don’t Get Scared” is a vocalese version of the instrumental recording by Stan Getz and Lars Gullin which finds Karin Krog sounding uncannily like Annie Ross.
On the quartet tracks Scott Hamilton produces his usual flawless playing backed by a superb trio. The little heard Errol Garner composition “Shake It, But Don’t Break It” is taken at the perfect tempo which brings out the best in Scott Hamilton and the rest of the group.
This is a great release and should be snapped up by any discerning buyer who is a lover of good singing or brilliant saxophone playing.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
