The Alberta Lounge
Barbette, 2022
9/10
An album that pays tribute to the jazz legend Oscar Peterson, Deanne Matley brings also brings a couple of originals to the affair, where Taurey Butler (piano), Morgan Moore (bass) and Richard Irwin (drums) accompany her, and a couple of guests are on hand, too.
The title track starts the listen with Paul Shrofel’s frisky piano and Steve Raegele’s spirited guitar complementing Matley’s soulful and smooth vocals, and “Mas Que Nada”, which is sung in Portuguese, follows with much beauty entering the lively scatting and dynamic rhythm section of the timeless jazz flavor.
“Merci Pour Ca! (Je ne Sais Pas)” occupies the middle spot, and showcases Moore’s excellent playing as Matley versatile pipes make a big impression in French, while “The Land Was White (When Summer Comes)” enters ballad territory with stirring singing and eloquent musicianship.
Approaching the end, “Tristeza” quickly builds into a dance friendly and Latin display of swift song craft, and “Hymn To Freedom” exits the listen soft and agile, where the calm keys and intimate vocals make for a very reflective demeanor.
The music here is top notch, but Matley’s singing really is the focus, where her modern appeal certainly retains the richness of vintage jazz, too, as she swings playfully, can get haunting and even touches on pop elements.
Travels well with: Beth McKenna- Beyond Here; Shannon Gunn- On A Mountain