Dara Starr Tucker
Green Hill, 2023
8/10
The esteemed vocalist and songwriter Dara Starr Tucker provides insightful commentary on this post-pandemic world, where her jazz and roots influences are present across 12 songs that surround healing, mental wellness and self-reflection.
“Scars” gets the listen off to a soulful start, where Tucker’s smooth voice is met with Greg Bryant’s playful bass and Mike King’s mature keys, and “Annie’s Song” follows with Aaron Parks’ dreamy piano and Vicente Archer’s warm bass complementing Tucker’s sublime pipes.
Further along, the bright trumpet from Giveton Gelin and Stacy Dillard’s glowing sax helps cultivate a timeless jazz climate, while “September Song” is a very intimate moment thanks to Tucker’s expressive singing and King’s pretty piano playing.
Landing near the end, “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” places Marcus Finnie on drums and Dillard on sax for the rich and frisky album highlight, and “Scars-Freedom” exits with the soothing rhythm section, graceful keys, and, of course, Tucker’s absorbing voice front and center.
Tucker has amassed a large online presence and her work has been featured on HBO, FX and many other platforms. This genuine and diverse body of work will understandably bring her plenty of welcomed attention, too, as the Philadelphia resident makes the most of the 6 originals and 6 interpretations.
Travels well with: Laura Henderson- Conjuring; Danielle Wertz- Other Side