CD Review: Cathy Segal-Garcia, "Straight Ahead to the UK"

 

Cathy Segal-Garcia is a remarkably talented Vocalist who also Composes and Arranges beautiful music.  She came to mind recently in August of 2020 when I reviewed a new CD  from Mayita Dinos,  "The Garden Is My Stage".   Cathy Segal-Garcia has a major part in producing this CD and putting together the talented musicians who supported Mayita on her recording.  So I checked out "YouTube" to find out what Cathy has been doing in the past few years and it turns out that she has been very busy creating  beautiful new music.  I was particular interested in a CD that Cathy actually recorded in 2011 on a trip to England.  The CD sat on the shelf for a long time until she appeared on the Clifford Bell radio show in LA and he suggested that she pull it off the shelf and rework it as a new release.  This turned out to be an excellent idea.  Cathy brought the rough cuts to Engineer John Leftwich who turned them into musical gems.

The trip to England was arranged by an old friend of Cathy's, Super Sax player, Andy Macintosh.  Andy also secured some of the best Jazz players in England to join him and Cathy on this CD.  The CD contains a mix of original songs written by Cathy and some evergreens that never get old.  

I have attached two "YouTube" videos for your listening pleasure.  The first is a very sensitive rendition of the classic Hoagy Carmichael song, "I Get Along Without You".  Cathy Segal-Garcia is at her very best singing this tune.  It feels like she is having a very private and heart-felt conversation with the listener.  This recording certifies her remarkable understanding of Lyric that all Jazz singers should strive for.  The second song, "Shake It Down" was composed by Cathy after being inspired by a girl friend who loves to dance.   Enjoy!

Players:

Cathy Segal-Garcia-Vocals, composer, cuts 3, 6, 7, 8, 13

Carey Frank- Hammond B3 Organ 

Background Vocals- Bill Redd, Irene Cathaway

Guest Vocalist-Norma Winstone

Bassists- Paul Morgan, Laurence Cottle, John Leftwich

Piano-Cliff Hall, John Pearce, Roy Hilton

Synth Pads- John Leftwich

Drums- Ian Thomas

Trumpet- Simon Gardner

Saxes- Andy Macintosh

Percussion Brad Dutz

Playlist:

1. Wheelers and Dealers

2. Highwire

3. Hippityville

4. Sermonette

5. I Get Along Without You

6. Shake It Down

7. Recipe of Love

8. Song 4 Sandy

9. Something We May Never Know

10. Dreamsville

11. Gypsy In My Soul

12. Last Night When We Were Young

13. Hippityville

                                                              "I Get Along Without You"

                                                                       "Shake It Down"    

              

CD Review: Ron Boustead "Unlikely Valentine"

Ron Boustead has a long and solid reputation as one of the most talented Vocalist and Lyricist performing today.  For the past 34 years, Ron has been performing and writing lyrics since he was just 16.  His many past credits include recording a vocal CD featuring lyrics he had written to tunes by the likes of Chet Baker,  Chick Corea, and Freddie Hubbard.  Over his career, he released three more CDs and learned a new trade. He became a top-notch mastering engineer, worked at the legendary Precision Mastering where he cut CD and vinyl masters for artists like Prince, Rolling Stones, Seal, Kiss, R.E.M., and many others.  After all of these achievements, Ron thought it was time for him to make a CD that reflected his evolving tastes and growth as an artist.  His new CD "Unlikely Valentine" is cool and hip.  Ron put together a mix of tunes that include lyrics he provided and a fresh take on lesser-done standards.  When Boustead began thinking about this project, he decided he wanted the music to be upbeat and bebop-oriented, yet accessible to people who aren't necessarily hard-core Jazz fans.  In my opinion, he has reached these goals!  His new CD is fresh and live and his lyrics seem real and natural.  His performance on the tune he wrote, "Coffee" is outstanding in style and lyric and Ron's vocal is perfect and "Sinatra-like".  If you like straight ahead Jazz vocals, you will love this new CD that is being released on February 14, 2017.  It will be available on Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby.

The Band:  

Ron Boustead, Vocals and Lyrics

Bill Cunliffe, Piano and Arrangements

Mitchel Forman, Piano and Arrangements

Pat Kelly, Acoustic and Electric Guitar

Bob Sheppard, Sax and Flute

Bob McChesney, Trombone

Ron Stout, Flugelhorn

John Leftwich, Bass

Jake Reed, Drums

Playlist:

1. "Unlikely Valentine"

2. "Love Potion # 9"

3. "Coffee"

4. " I Won't Scat"

5. "Til Now"

6. "Autumn Leaves"

7. "Love's Carousel"

8. "Along Came Betty"

9. "I Love My Wife"

10. "Love Came On Stealthy Fingers"

I found and attached a couple of "YouTube" videos that I think you will enjoy.  The first is Ron telling his story about his new CD and the second I just had to share,  Ron singing my number one greatest song, "The Nearness of You".  Enjoy!

 Ron Boustead Tell the Story of His New CD, "Unlikely Valentine"

       
                                                 Ron Boustead "The Nearness of You"