CD Review: Rose Kingsley "A Diva's Tribute to Johnny Mercer"

Former New York Opera singer Rose Kingsley has spent the last 10 years of her singing career experimenting with the "Great American Songbook" and in particular the legendary songs of Johnny Mercer.  In fact, Rose has been channeling the spirit of Johnny Mercer on many different levels.  Joining her on this musical journey is Mr. Mercer's grandson,  executor of his estate  and master pianist Bob Corwin.  The Kingsley/Corwin partnership has been going strong for over 7 years including many successful live performances of their show, "Through The Years with Johnny Mercer" in States from California to New York.  Kingsley has developed into a unique and dramatic Jazz singer with a strong voice laced with her emotional approach to Mercer's lyrics.  At the same time, Bob Corwin has provided soft piano support with his playing and sensitive arrangements.  The final piece of magic for this Mercer  CD spotlight was that it was recorded in the legendary Studio A at Capital Records, the music studio Mercer founded in 1942.

Johnny Mercer's songs are world famous and have been sung by countless Jazz singers over the years but this CD represents a unique approach to his wonderful lyrics.  Rose Kingsley has her own voice and copies no one.  Her performance is at times is a mix vibe combining Opera drama with Jazz vocals.  The result brings something different and new to Mercer's famous songs.  Rose Kingsley is as much a master story teller as a Cabaret Jazz vocalist.  

Kingsley and Corwin have selected 12 of the very best Mercer songs for this CD.  These songs also highlight Mercer's partnership with some of the greatest composers of the 20th Century.  When  you are talking about selecting only 12 of best songs from the Mercer book,  it's no easy job.  I don't think any one would object to these 12 songs on this CD.

Contributors:

Rose Kingsley- Vocals

Bob Corwin- Piano, Arrangements,  Musical Director,  Producer

Executive Producer- Norman Miller

Recording Engineer- Chandler Harrod

Mix/Mastered- Jim Watson

Playlist:

1. Too Marvelous For Words

2. Skylark

3. Come Rain Come Shinethe 4. Autumn Leaves

5. Charade

6. Old Black Magic

7. Moon River

8. I Remember You

9. Laura

10. One For My Baby

11. Blues in the Night

12. Dream

 I have attached a live performance of  "Autumn Leaves" by Rose Kingsley at New York's world famous Birdland for your enjoyment.