Swingin’ With Legends 2
Early Autumn, 2023
9/10
Listen to Swingin’ With Legends 2
The inimitable vocalist Angela DeNiro is surrounded by some excellent company for this swingin’ good time, where legends like Randy Brecker, Ken Peplowski and Lew Tabackin, plus many others, help her flesh out these love songs from the Great American Songbook.
The emotive and cozy “New York City Blues” starts the listen with DeNiro’s sensual voice, as Bryan Davis’ bright trumpet enters the animated climate, and “You’d Be So Easy To Love” follows with playful scatting amid Nathan Childers’ flowing clarinet that complements the lively energy.
Moving along, “It Might As Well Be Spring” allows for DeNiro’s expressive pipes to shine alongside Cecilia Coleman’s elegant piano and Tim Givens’ moody bass that suits the intimate versus energetic delivery, while “Two For The Road” is a stirring ballad that places Tabackin on flute for the heartfelt appeal.
Deeper still, “On Green Dolphin Street” swings with a dance floor ready demeanor that welcomes Todd Bashore’s alto sax skills amid the quick scatting, and “The Curtain Falls” exits with an absorbing, bare beauty that spotlights DeNiro’s stunning pipes and Jonathan Merle’s agile drumming.
A listen that embraces all the timeless qualities of Big Band sounds, but that can also retreat to minimal moments of vulnerability, DeNiro and company put an exciting fresh coat of paint on these classic songs.
Travels well with: Audrey Silver- Oklahoma; Masumi Ormandy- Beyond The Sea