Necessary Arrangements
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
Listen to Necessary Arrangements
The jazz vocalist Jackie Messina pays tribute to the late jazz pianist Enos Payne with this set of songs that stem from their 5 year musical relationship, and brings help from Bruce Barth (piano), Will Galison (harmonica), Paul Beaudry (bass), Ed Howard (bass) and Cliff Barbaro (drums).
The warm listen leads with the playful scatting of “Inchworm”, where Beaudry’s lively bass complements the bouncy spirit, and “I Feel Pretty” follows with a charming take on the classic that recruits Howard’s bass and Barth’s agile piano.
Approaching the middle, “Little B’s Poem” benefits much from the flowing keys and emotive harmonica as much beauty enters, while “I Believe In You” bops and shakes with a timeless jazz energy that you could and should dance to.
Deeper still, “Alfie”, a Burt Bacharach tune, puts Messina’s diverse pipes on display in the cautious album highlight, and “Show Me” finishes the listen with Barbaro’s drums and Beaudry’s clever bass interacting with much melody
A listen that isn’t short on solos or swingin’ fun, Messina and company also inject a couple ballads, and there’s even a poetic quality present across the entirety of the fantastic record.
Travels well with: Alexis Parsons- Alexis; Lady Millea- I Don’t Mind Missing You