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: Henry "The Skipper" Franklin Trio: "High Voltage, A Tribute to McCoy Tyner,"

This season in the California Desert, I was privileged to meet and get to know two fine "Gentlemen of Jazz", the talented Bassist and Composer,  Henry "The Skipper" Franklin and Jazz lover, Dan "The Jazzman" Sullivan.  I saw Bassist Henry "The Skipper" Franklin many times this season and each time I heard him I learned something new about his musical talents.  He gave me a new CD entitled, "High Voltage".  I shared this CD with a new Jazz friend, Dan Sullivan who was so excited about this CD that I offered him the chance to be a Guest Reviewer.  His thoughts are recorded below:

"My friend Bob Nicosia turned me on to this CD recently, and before I heard it, I had average expectations, but after hearing it, I was more than pleasantly surprised.  The CD has a very catchy groove with great support from Henry Franklin on Bass, Carl Burnett on Drums and a hidden Gem of a Piano player, Bill Heid.  Bill Heid is also a master-class composer and arranger as you will see listening to the 5 songs he has written and arranged for this CD.

"The CD states it is a "Tribute To McCoy Tyner" which it is but face it, there is only one McCoy.  Nonetheless, McCoy's "The Gathering" is done impeccably with Guest Artist, Chuck Manning blowing some nice Tenor.  I've grown tired of Soprano Sax, but Chuck impressed with his deeper, richer, more intense sound on Henry's composition "Off The Wall".  I was not familiar with Chuck before this listen, but he is really impressive.  Of course, Henry Franklin is greatly respected in all Jazz circles.  Franklin to me is cut in the cloth of Ron Carter and Rufus Reid and he really pushed the group.  No question he was in control of the music contained in this CD.  Drummer Carl Burnett has credits pages long and his performance on this CD explains to all why; he is top-notch.  "High Voltage" is a fine new CD that every Jazz lover should listen to."

Tracks:
1. "Brother George"  Bill Heid
2. "Unit B"  Bill Heid
3. "The Greeting"  McCoy Tyner
4. "Under Tanzanian Skies"  Henry Franklin
5. "Off the Wall"  Bill Heid
6. "Mr Wu"  Bill Heid
7. "Mellow Minor"  McCoy Tyner
8. "Bu Yao"  Bill Heid

Thanks for the review Dan, and nicely done!  I could not agree with you more, this is a fine Jazz CD with superb players!

I was able to find a "YouTube" of the first track from this CD,  "Brother George" and I am sure you will love it.