Nick’’s Picks José James ★★★★1/2 Yesterday I Had The Blues: The Music Of Billie Holiday Blue Note Singer/songwriter José James has a fluid baritone that smolders as much as it seduces. His original albums veer easily from jazz to soul and pop to grinding rock and rhythm and blues, which tells you he’s not especially hemmed in by la-
Photo by Janette Beckman
bels or genre. As a composer and narrator, he croons as a friend, brother, a confidant or a lover. On stage, he works a persona that’s vulnerable and often sensual, with an effortless charisma and natural charm. He’s relatable—which makes him an ideal interpreter of the songs of Billie Holiday. Yesterday I Had The Blues is a tourde-force record by a musician who reveals in the liner notes, “her music spoke to me on a much deeper level. Her work was mastery—of pain, of trauma, of faith in music and the power of transformation. I had found my teacher.” That absorption of joy, heartache and the otherwise indescribable quality that made Holiday a timeless performer gives James an edge that’s vacant on most tribute albums to the singer. Over nine tracks, mostly ballads, the Nick Bewsey has been writing about jazz for ICON since 2004 and is a member of The Jazz Journalists Assoc. He also paticipates in DownBeat’s Annual International Critics Poll.
NICK BEWSEY
★=SKIP IT; ★★=MEDIOCRE; ★★★=GOOD; ★★★★=EXCELLENT; ★★★★★=CLASSIC
album’s focus is on quality not quantity as James pares things down, relying on a close collaborative process with his pianist, Jason Moran, bassist John Patitucci and drummer/percussionist Eric Harland—a team of like-minded musicians with astute improvisational skills. What makes his version of “Good Morning, Heartache” so effective is that James lets the song breathe and take shape as a love letter to one’s own soul. It’s sung delicately and beautifully performed, highlighted by Moran’s slow, shimmering solo. Equally fine, his “Fine And Mellow” is a deep blues tune, dressed with gospel-tinged piano and thick, insistent groove. The wily romp, “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” is the most up-tempo tune, and soulful gems “Lover Man” and “God Bless The Child” sport more modern contours. The record ends with the spiritual “Strange Fruit,” as haunting as ever, the timbre of James’ voice bereft and righteously full of judgment. (9 tracks; 47 minutes) Billie Holiday ★★★★★ The Centennial Collection Sony/Legacy Is Billie Holiday the ultimate jazz singer? You might think so listening to this commemorative anthology that draws from Lady Day’s early period, performing
tunes recorded between 1935 and 1945, either fronting pianist Teddy Wilson and his Orchestra or leading her own, on timeless, defining tracks that continue to feed into the myth, magic and tragedy that is Ms. Holiday. Released to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Holiday’s birth (April 7, 1915), these essential tracks showcase the singer at her peak. As a cultural icon, she has no modern day equivalent (Amy Winehouse deserves her own story) and hearing Holiday sing these pop
tunes, jazz songs and jukebox tracks on this artfully prepared collection is both a gift to music fans of all stripes and a paean to a singer that ultimately transcends genres. (20 tracks; 60 minutes) Russell Malone ★★★★ Love Looks Good On You HighNote Strong melodies and tight rhythmic interplay distinguish the guitarist Russell Malone, and the memorable music on Love Looks Good On You, glows with a charismatic halo. He knows how to put a recording together and the playlist has an involving flow, starting with a robust original by Mulgrew Miller, the swinging “Soul Leo.” Malone reaches back to the ‘70s, arranging two unexpected movie themes he knew as a youngster, including an obscure music cue from Shaft called “Ellie’s Love Theme,” written by Isaac Hayes. It’s a very pretty tune played with unbridled sensitivity. As a ballad player, Malone takes his time by concentrating on single notes and melodic choruses; it gives the title track a dimension that’s simply gorgeous. Malone has an indispensible band on board. The savory sound of pianist Rick Germanson, the nimble plucks by bassist Gerald Cannon and tight beats from drummer Willie Jones III, give this group its pulse. The bounce on Thad Jones’ “The Elder” and the resonant groove on George Coleman’s jazz standard, “Amsterdam After Dark” lets the quartet shine and tasty solos abound. A master of styles, you’ll catch a Chuck Berry lick here and a Wes Montgomery run there, Malone is foremost an original and with Love Looks Good On You, he’s back in the spotlight. (9 tracks; 52 minutes) Duchess ★★★★ Duchess Anzic Records The notion that “everything old is new again” blossoms like spring on the charming self-titled debut record by the trio Duchess, and it’s altogether refreshing. With a sound inspired by songs sung by Boswell Sisters and the Andrews Sisters, albeit with classy, updated arrangements to charts that date back to the 1930s and ‘40s, Amy Cervini, Hilary Gardner and Melissa Stylianou, three strong jazz and pop vocalists with their own solid careers, serve up sophisticated humor (Cy Coleman’s “A Doodlin’ Song”) and café society swing (Peggy Lee’s “Love Being
Here With You”) with the cleverest wit. Up close and personal, I heard them during their March CD release gig at the Jazz Standard in NYC, where the sold-out crowd was seduced by ballads like “Que Sera, Sera” and Johnny Mercer’s “P.S. I Love You,” where their warm, earthy harmonies hit you like Cupid’s arrow. That original blend of sauce and swing deservedly make Duchess stand out. With a fine band in tow anchored by pianist
Michael Cabe, bassist Paul Sikvie and ace drummer Matt Wilson, this completely delightful trio hearkens back to the era when performers like Bobby Short sang songs and entertainment was the priority. Ben Wolfe ★★★★ The Whisperer Posi-tone Bassist Ben Wolfe keeps a low profile on The Whisperer and his subtle presence clues you in to the album’s title. It’s as if he’s inviting you to listen to how good his band sounds. A refined musician, Wolfe stealthily defers to the vibrant soprano and tenor saxophonist Stacy Dillard to voice his compositions while rounding out his quartet with an essential Orrin Evans on piano and the surefire drummer Donald Edwards. The quartet shines as a unit, deftly navigating the changes on sharply edged tunes—the excellent “Heroist” has a surging groove and features an arresting solo by Evans. Among several strong ballads, the best is the graceful “Hat In Hand,” a deliberate and lovely number with a fulsome melody and warm late-night glow. This excellent album makes for a rewarding listen. Fine writing, superlative improvisation, experienced leadership and Wolfe’s steadfast bass gives The Whisperer its juice. (12 tracks; 60 minutes) ■
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