CD Review: Amber Weekes "A Lady With A Song - Amber Weekes Celebrates Nancy Wilson"

 

Nancy Wilson has always been on the top of my list of great Jazz singers.  So when I picked up this  new CD from Amber Weekes, my first reaction was wow, this singer is really brave to take on songs that have Nancy Wilson's personal vocal fingerprints.  Singing songs that are closely linked to great singers is always a challenging task even for the most talented vocalists because as good as your verison is, you will always be compared to the original artist.  

The first song I listened to on this CD was "Lady With A Song" and it convinced me that Amber Weekes is a remarkable Jazz singer.  While this song will always be linked to Nancy Wilson, I love the way Amber presented the lyric in a believable story fashion.  Her voice is strong and her phrasing just flows like syrup on hot pancakes.  This CD is a fine tribute to the singing voice and style of Nancy Wilson but Amber Weekes does not just copy Nancy Wilson, she brings her own interpretations to the Nancy Wilson song book with great success!

Amber Weekes is a Jazz singer based in Southern California and is known as a storyteller who puts heart and honest feelings into her interpretations of superior standards.  This same sentence could have been written to describe Nancy Wilson who performed for over 50 years on the Pop and Jazz stage.  "A Lady With A Song, Amber Weekes Celebrates Nancy Wilson" is a sensational CD by an extremely talented vocalist!

I have attached two "YouTube" videos that will give you a taste of Amber Weekes' work.  The first tune is a beautiful ballad  "Lady With A Song" that features fine Trumpet work from Ray Monteiro and Mike Cordone.    The second tune is the lovely but difficult to sing "Midnight Sun" which Amber sings perfectly. 

                    " Lady With A Song"

                                          
                                                                       "Midnight Sun"

PLAYLIST:

1. Gentleman Friend

2. Save Your Love For Me

3. A Lady With A Song

4. Ten Good Years

5. What A Little Moonlight Can Do

6. Midnight Sun

7. Suppertime

8. Wave

9. Guess Who I Saw Today

10. I'm Always Drunk In San Francisco

11. The Best Is Yet To Come

12. You're Gonna Hear From Me

13. Wasn't It Wonderful

PLAYERS:

Russell Malone- Guitar

Paul Jackson Jr.- Sax

Gerald Albright- Sax

Rickey Woodard- Sax

Justo Almario- Flute

Ray Monteiro- Trumpet

Mike Cordone- Trumpet

Mark Cargill- Violin

Rashawn Ross- Trumpet

Tony Campodonico- Acoustic and Rhodes Piano

Jacob Scesney- Tenor Sax

CD Review: Doug MacDonald, "Big Band Extravaganza"

Guitarist, Composer and Arranger Doug MacDonald has recently released his first CD by the Doug MacDonald Big Band.  Doug leads the 17-piece Jazz Orchestra performing 9 original compositions and one Gershwin standard, "But Not For Me".  Doug has done recordings with almost every configuration but this is his first try at leading a Big Swinging Band.  Lovers of the big band sound will love this CD and this is another milestone Doug can add to his rich resume.  Doug is one of the premier, in demand Guitarists performing today.  He has recorded with Buddy Rich, Ray Charles, Bill Holman and Jack Sheldon, just to name a few.  He also has published several terrific new CDs over the past couple of years that I have reviewed.  

Considering the fact that Doug performs live almost every night in the Southern California area, I have no idea how he finds time to compose and arrange beautiful music, MC a Jazz radio show and release two or three new CDs every year.   Doug is a dedicated Jazz musician who is committed to keeping Jazz alive and well!  

The "Big Band Extravaganza" showcases the big band's swinging sound thanks to Doug's excellent compositions and brilliant arrangements.  Doug has brought together some of the finest musicians in the country to perform his songs on this CD.   The results will be satisfying to every Jazz fan and especially to the lovers of the historical big band sound.

I have attached two "YouTubes" for your listening pleasure.  The first one is the MacDonald original, "Ya Know Bill".   This performance contains solos from Trumpeter Carl Saunders who sadly recently died.  Those of you who are familiar with Carl Saunders work,  know what a big loss this is for the Jazz world; RIP Carl!

The second cut I have attached is the Gershwin classic, "But Not For Me" with a great solo from Rickey Woodard on Tenor Sax.

PLAYLIST:

1.  Toluca Lake Jazz

2. Rashomon

3. Luces Azules

4. Aventura En Triadas

5. Desert Jazz

6. Luz De Amour

7. De Ha

8. But Not For Me

9. Minor Mess

10. Ya Know Bill

PLAYERS:

Doug MacDonald- Guitar, Leader, Composer, Arranger

Kim Richmond, Alex Budman- Alto Sax

Rickey Woodard, Glen Berger- Tenor Sax

Tim McKay- Baritone Jazz

Ira Nepus, Les Benedict, Ivan Malespin, Rich Bullock- Trombones

Mike Campagna, Dan Fornero, Aaron Janik, Carl Saunders- Trumpets

Bill Cunlifffe- Piano (Day 1)

Andy Langham- Piano (Day 2)

Chuck Berghofer- Bass

Paul Kreibich- Drums

                                                                "Ya Know Bill"

                                                                   "But Not For Me"