You & I
Self-Released, 2021
9/10
The long running collaborators Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper, i.e. Wild Blue Herons, return with a batch of standards inspired by legends in the area of jazz, where the now married couple put their inimitable and heartfelt spin on songs most of us are familiar with.
“I Wish I’d Met You” starts the listen with warm keys alongside Cooper’s rich, stunning vocals, where every note is delivered flawlessly, and “The Nearness Of You” follows with Sample’s meticulous key work alongside the agile singing that speaks directly to the soul.
Further down the line, “An Older Man Is Like An Elegant Wine” enters dreamy territory as the pair balance beauty and cautiousness splendidly, while “Don’t Know How To Love You” has Cooper hitting some pretty high notes in the elegant, gorgeous climate. “Save Your Love For Me” then brings a wealth of atmosphere to the very soulful landscape.
Deeper still, “The Way You Look Tonight”, the album’s best, puts a sublime tweak on the classic as the pair bring so much beauty to the formula, and “I’ll Be Seeing You” exits the listen with a flawless finish that illustrates the pair’s unique and timeless chemistry that illuminates these time honored songs so well.
These songs may exist in many other forms, but they’ve never sounded like this, and you’ll want to spend quality time with these gems, especially if you gravitate towards vocal jazz.
Travels well with: Al Hammerman- Just A Dance; Erin Propp & Larry Roy- We Want All The Same Things