Judy Whitmore has lived a life full of adventures—novelist, theater producer, therapist, even a pilot—and all of that life experience comes through when she sings. Her new album, Let’s Fall In Love, teams her with Grammy-nominated arranger Chris Walden and a killer group of L.A. musicians. The result? A classy, romantic ride through the "Great American Songbook".
The sound is big and lush, thanks to Walden’s orchestra (including a 22-piece string section), but Judy keeps it personal—like she’s singing right to you. Highlights for me are the dreamy A Time for Love, the swinging Taking a Chance on Love, and the playful duet with Ty Taylor on the title track. Add in solos from players like Josh Nelson (piano), Peter Erskine (drums), Wayne Bergeron (trumpet), and Hendrik Meurkens (harmonica), and you’ve got an album that sparkles from start to finish.
Playlist
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I’ll Take Romance
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All of You
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A Time for Love
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Taking a Chance on Love
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How Long Has This Been Going On
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Let’s Fall In Love (duet with Ty Taylor)
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The Very Thought of You
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It’s All Right with Me
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Crazy He Calls Me
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More Than You Know
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I’ve Got a Crush on You
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How Deep Is the Ocean
Players
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Vocals – Judy Whitmore
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Guest Vocal – Ty Taylor (Let’s Fall In Love)
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Trumpets – Wayne Bergeron, Kye Palmer
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Trombones – Andy Martin, Alex Iles
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Saxophones & Woodwinds – Jeff Driskill (tenor sax), Sal Lozano, Jacob Scesney (baritone sax), Sean Franz, Chad Smith
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Piano – Josh Nelson
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Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
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Bass – Edwin Livingston
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Drums – Peter Erskine
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Harmonica – Hendrik Meurkens
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Percussion – Wade Culbreath
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Arranger/Conductor/Producer – Chris Walden
Bottom line: If you love the "Great American Songbook", this album feels like a gift. Judy Whitmore and Chris Walden breathe new life into songs we’ve all cherished, and the musicianship is top-notch. Put on Let’s Fall In Love with a glass of wine, and let it sweep you away.
I attached two tracks from this CD for your listening pleasure. They are two of my favorite standards, "Taking A Chance On Love" and "The Very Thought Of You".
"Taking a Chance On Love"
