CD Review: Tania Grubbs Quintet, "The Sounds of Love"

 

If you are a fan of Jazz Vocals, you will fall in love with Vocalist Tania Grubbs and the Tania Grubbs Quintet.  Tania has a smooth, velvety soft voice and phrasing that would please any Sinatra fan.  The songs Tania has included in her playlist are not just nice songs.  The carefully selected songs on this CD represent examples of the work of some of the greatest lyricists and composers embedded in the  Great American Songbook.  Lyric and Melody are important to Tania because she has the rare ability to use her voice and phrasing skills to turn word stories into beautiful music.  Tania Grubbs is a wonderful storyteller,  using her vocal skills to bring written words to life for the listener.  As I listened to the 14 songs on this CD, I kept thinking about how great these songs are but also how difficult they are to sing.  This list of songs would make a great final exam for a vocalist master class.  The members of the Tania Grubbs Quintet supported Tania's singing seamlessly with no gaps or spaces.  The group has ties to Pittsburg, Pa and has played together for several years.  This amazing CD was recorded by these stellar musicians in one day; one impressive accomplishment!

I have attached two "YouTube" videos for your listening pleasure.  The first song is the Gershwin gem, "But Not For Me".  The second song is an incredible performance of the Leslie Bricusse and Henry Mancini classic, "Two For The Road". 

PLAYLIST:

1. But Not For Me

2. Slow Hot Wind

3. This Time

4. Duke Ellington's Sound of Love

5. Strange Meadowlark

6. The Sculptor's Hands

7. Something to Live For

8. Blackbird

9. Sunshine on My

10. I Can Tell You Are Always There

11. Four

12. Dreamsville

13. If You Could See Me Now

14. Two For the Road

PLAYERS:

Tania Grubbs- Vocals

David Budway- Piano

Jeff Grubbs- Bass

Ron Afffif- Guitar

James Johnson III- Drums 

                                                                    "But Not For Me"

                                                                        "Two For The Road"

CD Review: Shirley Crabbe, "Bridges"

Vocalist Shirley Crabbe is a marvelous Jazz singer who makes singing seem effortless.  Her interpretation of Lyric and her beautiful Voice produce a sound as smooth as silk!  Her CD is called "Bridges" and it's all about connections through our lives.  It contains an eclectic list of songs, including some Jazz standards, a Pop tune, a couple of originals and a hip, updated version of "Blessed Assurance" which is a well-known Christian hymn that is one of her mother's favorite songs.  The first cut on the CD is the Irving Berlin classic "Isn't It A Lovely Day" that is closely associated with Ella Fitzgerald who was an important influence on Shirley Crabbe.  Whenever I listen to a singer for the first time, I really like to hear them sing a classic standard song.  Singing a song that has been covered by all of the greatest Jazz vocalists in history usually tells me up front the level of talent the vocalists has.  Most singers simply copy the style of the performer who had the hit and most times the results are less than satisfying.  However, even though Ella was one of Shirley's influences, she takes on the classic song and brings some of herself to it, adding something new but retaining the integrity of the original recording.  Few singers can accomplish this feat and Shirley is one of them.  It was a pleasure to experience her talents on this CD and I highly recommend that this CD would make a terrific Christmas present for any lover of the "Great American Songbook". 

Shirley has gathered two brilliant Jazz Pianists to join her on this CD, David Budway and Donald Vega who also was the musical director for the CD.  In addition, the fine list of musicians below helped make this CD an outstanding musical presentation.

        Players:  

Shirley Crabbe-Vocals

Donald Vega-Piano & Musical Director

David "The Budman" Budway (1,8,9)

Clovis Nicolas-Bass

Ulysses Owens Jr-Drums

Alvester Garnett-Drums- (2,10)

Brandon Lee-Trumpet

Chris Cardona-Violin

Sean Carney-Violin

Todd Low-Viola

Stephanie Cummins-Cello

         Playlist:

1. "Isn't It A Lovely Day"

2. "Taking A Chance On Love"

3.  "Bridges"

4. "The Bridge"

5. "I Didn't Know What Time It Was"

6. "Promise Me"

7. "The Windmills Of Your Mind"

8. "And So It Goes"

9. "Thief In The Night"

10. "Blessed Assurance"

   

I found two "YouTube" videos showcasing the great Jazz vocal singing by Shirley Crabbe.  I am sure you will enjoy the wonderful arrangements also!  The first one is an Irving Berlin classic, "Isn't This A Lovely Day" and the second is the Evergreen "Taking A Chance on Love".