CD Review: VR Smith, "Once I Loved"

 

The Jazz world lost a very special Jazz singer recently, Verna Rose "VR" Smith who died 2 days after this CD was completed.   VR  Smith had been performing and recording with her husband Bassist Putter Smith and his highly regarded Jazz quartet for many years in LA Jazz clubs.  VR Smith was the prototype of what a Jazz singer should be.  She made singing seem easy and comfortable.  VR sings from the soul with her own interpretation of rhythm mixed with class and her own style.  She always considered her voice to be a part of the band, carefully taking her turn in songs and always blending rather than staring.  Her husband the great Bass player, Putter Smith provides the exact amount of support behind VR.  Putter is a Southern California legend and has worked with an endless list of Jazz musicians including Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, Duke Ellington, Billy Eckstine, Art Pepper and the Manhattan Transfer just to name a few.  His approach to Jazz tunes is sensitive and caring and it's a perfect match for VR's voice and interpretation of lyrics.  VR offers, "The words have to mean something to me. Having acted I learned that you have different choices on how you say a thing.  I try to let the tune be the focus and let the words fall into that."

Putter Smith's  band consists of a fine group of Jazz musicians that know how to produce great music.  Chuck Manning does an outstanding job on Tenor, Michael Kanan on piano is as good as it gets, and Tim Pleasant provides the perfect support on Drums.  What can you say about Putter Smith's Bass playing,  it's a master class in how to play Bass for Jazz ballads.

My thanks go out to another great Multi-talented Bass player, Henry Franklin who produced this CD and turned me onto VR Smith!  The CD was released on Henry's own label, Skipper Productions. 

I have picked a couple of YouTube videos for you to listen to.  The first is a wonderful balled composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Ray Gilbert ,"Once I Loved".  This tune has been recorded by many outstanding vocalists but VR's version is uncomplicated but overflowing with life emotion that she puts into the lyric.  Chuck Manning's opening chorus sets the stage perfectly for VR.   The second song is a golden oldie composed by Albert Hague and Arnold Horwitt, "Young and Foolish".   VR makes this song's wonderful lyric so real and understandable that it feels like an intimate conversation between her and the listener! 

Playlist: 

1. Once I Loved

2. East of the Sun

3. Why Did I Choose You

4. Who Cares

5. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

6. You're My Everything

7. Soul Eyes

8. Speak Low

9. Young and Foolish

10 Goodbye

Players:

VR Smith- Vocals

Putter Smith- Bass

Michael Kanan- Piano

Chuck Manning- Tenor Sax

Tim Pleasant- Drums

                                                                        "Once I Loved"

  "Young and Foolish"

 

CD Review: Mon David, "D+N+A"

 Mon David (pronounced moan da-Vid) has released his fourth US release, "D+N+A, a duet with brilliant Pianist, Composer and Arranger Josh Nelson.  Mon David is a classic example of what a Jazz Vocalist should be; original style with a unique approach to lyrics and a world class ability to scat sing.  David left a  lucrative and successful career in the Philippines and moved his family to the US in 2007.  He felt that he had to make this move to pursue a career as a Jazz Vocalist.  Since moving to California he has been a popular mainstay one the Southern California music scene.  

David's new release DNA is a duo project featuring Josh Nelson and it's a truly creative and imaginative musical accomplishment.  David provides a refreshing new approach to some wonderful standards while still capturing the essence that has kept these songs popular for years.  Josh Nelson's piano performance is always inventive and his improvisations are always new and yet comfortable and accessible.  He never falls to impress!   David's primary instrument is his voice but he also plays Guitar, Piano and Drums.  David says, "for me, the human voice is the primary instrument for expressing the emotional depth of a song, but the Piano is a close second. That's why I wanted to work with Josh. His solo performances are terrific, but when he plays with a singer or other instrumentalists, his music has an almost symphonic quality".   

DNA is an album of music created by two young,  but seasoned master musicians!  Bravo to David and Nelson for their musical achievements publishing this album.   I have attached two "YouTubes" for your listening pleasure.  The first cut is a vocal tribute to Monk and Bird,  a medley of "Straight No Chaser" and "Billie's Bounce", with a great arrangement and feel.   David wrote additional Filipino lyric and joined them because they are two of his favorite pieces. The second is a newer song composed by one of the hardest working singer, composer and arranger,  the talented Mark Winkler.   The song is "I Chose the Moon".  I was not familiar with this tune but it's a beauty! 

PLAYERS:

Mon David- Vocals

Josh Nelson- Piano, Keyboards

PLAYLIST:      

1.  Did I Ever Really Live

2.  You Must Believe in Spring

3.  Lush Life

4.  Devil May Care

5.  Here's to Life

6.  In Praise of Bill Evans

7.  If You Never come To Me/Skylark

8.  Straight No Chaser/Billie's Bounce

9.  Imagine

10.  Blame It On My Youth

11.  I Chose The Moon

12.  Always And Forever

                                                                 "Straight No Chaser"

                                                          

                                                                    "I chose the Moon"