These Precious Days
Mock Turle, 2023
8/10
The New York jazz vocalist Mary Foster Conklin brings us a soulful listen that surrounds love and loss, and she’s got an all star cast of players along with her for the occasion.
“Summertime” opens the listen with Ed Howard’s bouncy bass alongside Conklin’s very expressive vocals amid Sara Caswell’s stirring violin in the unique jazz climate, and “Some Cats Know” follows with Guilherme Monteiro’s spirited guitar alongside the cozy singing of the charming delivery.
Halfway through, “Scars” uses both singing and talking in the lush, emotive demeanor that benefits much from John Di Martino’s elegant piano, while “Just For Now” is textured precisely with Vince Cherico’s agile drums complementing Conklin’s diverse range.
Arriving close to the end, “Rainbow” offers a poetic and very eloquent album highlight that truly showcases the powerful singing, and “September Song” exits the listen with a sublime intimacy that’s populated by graceful keys, quivering strings and, of course, Conklin’s inimitable pipes.
This is Conklin’s 5th album, and like everything she’s done, it’s heartfelt, timeless and a lot of fun, as the interpretations of lesser known jazz and pop songs are illuminated with much creativity.
Travels well with: Libby York- Dreamland; Robert Donnay- Blossom-ing!