Beautiful Souvenirs
Twenty Two, 2020
8/10
On this debut album the proficient vocalist Bidi Dworkin brings in an all star cast of New England musicians including Eric Hangen, Steve Cady, and Claire Arenius to help flesh out these fine jazz arrangements that pull from blues and folk standards.
The very heartfelt “How My Heart Sings” starts the listen with warm keys alongside gentle singing in the very mature landscape, and “Softly, As In A Morning’s Sunrise” follows with low bass from Cady as Dworkin delivers a very expressive and playful early album highlight with some vocal scatting.
Closer to the middle, “The Song Is You” offers sweet melody as a bouncy atmosphere develops, while “Why Try To Change Me Now” takes on a more bare approach where strategic keys align with strong vocal work. The late disc standout, “Alone Together”, then resides in darker territory where Dworkin’s engaging pipes are supported primarily by soft bass.
Near the end, “Autumn Serenade” is more sophisticated and elegant song craft with sharp piano from Hangen, and “You Don’t Know What Love Is” exits the listen with loud drumming from Arenius as vocal acrobatics from Dworkin and frisky piano finish on a very high note.
This exceptional first album also comes with insightful liner notes as Dworkin and company do a fine job of reinventing songs that the Vermont songstress adores and you likely will, too, after hearing the timeless jazz of Beautiful Souvenirs.
Travels well with: Ellynne Rey- The Birdsongs Project; CeCe Gable- More Than A Song