Veronica Swift
Mack Avenue, 2023
9/10
The inimitable vocalist Veronica Swift celebrates the work of Duke Ellington, Queen and Nine Inch Nails, plus others, and it makes for a jazz filled affair that hosts some excellent players for the covers and originals.
“I Am What I Am” opens the listen with playful scatting, Brian Viglione’s frisky drums and Alex Claffy’s unpredictable upright bass for the uplifting climate, and “Closer” follows with lively brass from James Sarno’s trumpet, Troy Roberts’ tenor sax and David Leon’s baritone sax, which complements Swift’s soaring vocal acrobatics.
In the middle, “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” uses Adam Klipple’s graceful piano for the intimate ballad that showcases the gorgeous singing, while “Severed Heads” puts Chris Whiteman’s guitar to good use alongside Austin Patterson’s smooth pipes for the heartfelt duet.
Close to the end, the more rock focused “Keep Yourself Alive” benefits much from Philip Norris’ skilled electric bass for the soulful and powerful album highlight, and “Don’t Rain On My Parade” exits with an anthemic and firm, driving punk rager that places Viglione on rhythm guitar and makes great use of gang vocals.
Swift carries a diverse set of influences, as evidenced by this eclectic affair, and it further solidifies her as one of the rising voices in the modern jazz scene.
Travels well with: Judy Whitmore- Isn’t It Romantic?; Jane Irving- Don’t Quit Now