CD Review: Lisa Rich Returns with Strength, Style, and Grace

It is always interesting to observe comeback performances from a vocalist in the later years of her career. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they do not. Jazz vocalist Lisa Rich has been a noted jazz singer for years. After stepping away from music for a few years, she returned in 2024 with "Long As You’re Living", an album that received very positive reviews.

Now, with the release of "I Still Rise", Rich proves that she is still singing at the top of her game. Her voice is warm and comfortable, and her approach to a lyric shows the results of her many years of experience. Her style seems effortless, but the skill required to sing a lyric and melody in such a relaxed way is a talent that few singers ever capture.

Part of the success of this album comes from Rich inviting musicians with whom she has performed in past years. Marc Copland on piano, Drew Gress on bass, and Dave Ballou on trumpet support her singing style perfectly. I am sure Lisa Rich and her group could play and sing the alphabet and make it sound wonderful.

Two songs from "I Still Rise" show the depth of Lisa Rich’s vocal talents. The first is a full-group performance of the Van Heusen and Burke classic “Like Someone in Love.” Rich demonstrates her skill at scatting, while each member of the group gets an opportunity to display their own jazz talents. The performance has a relaxed feeling, but the musicianship behind it is impressive.

The second selection is “Take Five,” composed by Paul Desmond with lyrics by Iola Brubeck. Most of the time, we hear this wonderful jazz song performed as an instrumental. However, Dave Brubeck’s wife, Iola, wrote lyrics for the piece, and Rich handles them perfectly. Her phrasing brings out the poetry of the words while retaining the distinctive character of the original composition.

Lisa Rich’s return is more than a nostalgic appearance from a respected vocalist. "I Still Rise" demonstrates that her voice, musical judgment, and ability to communicate a lyric remain as strong as ever. With the help of a first-rate group of musicians, Rich has created an album that is graceful, confident, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Playlist

1. No Moon At All

2. The Two Lonely People

3. Beginner/ How Can We Sing About Freedom

4.Estate

5.Take Five

6.Quiet Now

7.Ancient Footprints

8.Like Someone In Love

9.Never Let Me Go

10. It’s Over Now

Personnel

Lisa Rich — vocals

• Marc Copland — piano
• Drew Gress — bass
• Dave Ballou — trumpet
• 
  

                                                                “Like Someone In Love”

                                                                    “Take Five"

  

CD Review: Lisa Rich, "Highwire"

Lisa Rich has an interesting story to tell.  In the 1980's she was one of the most promising Jazz singers in the US.  She and her lush voice performed in some of the most prestigious Jazz settings in the US including a series of concerts in China and India. It was not only her voice that brought her into a national focus, her ability to handle sensitive lyrics and melodies were near perfect.  She recorded two CD's before recording "Highwire" in 1987 but never released.  Lisa Rich experienced serious health issues that caused her to stop performing and pause her career.  She then opened up a music studio and worked as a Vocal teacher and gave private lessons and conducted workshops.  It was not until 2018 that Lisa returned to the music she had begun so long ago and remixed the "Highwire" CD and released it in August of 2019.

"Highwire" is really a tribute to the writing genius of Chick Corea.  A chance encounter with Chick Corea moved him to present Lisa with several of his songs.  Lisa interprets five of Corea's songs on this CD and also two songs by Ralph Towner, one by Duke Ellington, Ornette Coleman and Loonis McGlohon and the standard, "We'll Be Together Again" by Carl Fischer and Frankie Laine.

The supporting musical cast on "Highwire" is terrific starting with outstanding Piano work from Marc Copland, Bassist Drew Gress and Drummer Michael Smith.  David Kane also provides great piano support on tracks 3 and 6.

This CD remix was recorded 32 years ago but proves again that good music is timeless.  Lisa Rich has a natural ease and smoky lush voice that reminds us what Jazz Vocals are all about.  All the songs included in this CD are difficult but sensitive and Lisa sings everyone flawlessly.

Playlist:
1. "High Wire The Aerialist"
2. "Contessa" 
3. "Celeste/Prelude To A Kiss"
4. "Bud Powell"
5. "Stardancer"
6. "Lonely Woman"
7. "Songbird"
8. "The Jinn"
9. "We'll Be Together Again"
10. "The Silence Of A Candle"

Players:
Lisa Rich-Vocals
Marc Copland-Piano
Drew Gress-Acoustic Bass
Michael Smith-Drums
David Kane-Piano (Track 3 & 6) 

I have selected two YouTubes for you to review that showcase Lisa Rich's wonderful Vocal talents. The first one is "High Wire The Aerialist", music by Chick Corea, Lyric by Tony Cohan.  The second is a terrific version of the standard, "We'll Be Together Again", Music by Carl T Fischer, Lyric by Frankie Laine.

CD Review: Fred Hersch Trio '97 @ The Village Vanguard

Question: Is there something in the music world that can be described as an intelligent, caring, sensitive and thoughtful Piano Trio?  I think there is and the 1997 never-before-released recorded performance titled, "The Fred Hersch Trio @ The Village Vanguard" fits this description perfectly!

Fred Hersch has been recording outstanding music over the past 20 years,  but he is now allowing us to travel with him back 21 years to share his first performance with his own trio at the Village Vanguard.  Fred Hersch performed at the Village Vanguard for years before 1997 as a sideman for legendary bandleaders including Joe Henderson, Art Farmer, Lee Konitz, Ron Carter, Al Foster and others.  But in July of 1997, Hersch performed at the Village Vanguard with his own Trio.  The Fred Hersch Trio performed three Friday night sets in 1997 that were captured on tape and now Hersch has hand-picked his favorite songs from these live performances for his latest CD.

Fred Hersch wrote the liner note for this CD, and I think it tells us how proud he is of this gig and his Trio.  Hersch writes: "This recording documents a huge moment in my life as a Jazz musician.  I had played numerous times at the famous Village Vanguard as a sideman starting in 1979.  The Vanguard had been in existence at the same location since 1935-virtually unchanged. The magic of the acoustics and the history of all the greats who played and recorded there make it the "Carnegie Hall of Jazz clubs"."

Improviser, Composer, Educator, Bandleader, Collaborator and Recording Artist Fred Hersch has had a heavy influence on the American Jazz scene over the past 30 years.  His awards would fill a book and include twelve Grammy nominations.  I think a quote from "Vanity Fair" hits the target perfectly, "The most arrestingly innovative pianist in Jazz over the last decade".  If you have not heard any music from Fred Hersch, you are in for a real treat.  If you are already a fan of Fred Hersch, this new CD will thrill you!

Bassist Drew Gress and Drummer Tom Rainey had been working with Hersch for five years at the point they took the Vanguard job.  The three players were at their height of perfection as a group and this CD represents the only live recording of this much-loved trio.  This CD is a gift to all Jazz lovers of  Jazz Piano Trio music!

MUSICIANS:  
Fred Hersch-Piano
Drew Gress-Bass
Tom Rainey-Drums

PLAYLIST:
1. "Easy to Love"
2. "My Funny Valentine"
3. "Three Little Words"
4. " Evanessence"
5. "Andrew John"
6. "I Wish I Knew"
7. "Swamp Thang"
8 "You Don't Know What Love is"

I have attached a "YouTube" of the Fred Hersch Trio playing "My Funny Valentine" like you have never heard it before.  Please enjoy!