Many a New Day: Karrin Allyson Sings Rodgers & Hammerstein (Motéma Music)
Karrin Allyson
Released September 18, 2015
Grammy Nominee for Best Jazz Vocal Album 2016
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About:
Four-time ‘Best Vocal Jazz Album ‘Grammy nominee Karrin Allyson’s ‘Many A New Day (Karrin Allyson Sings Rodgers & Hammerstein)’ is a 14-song collection featuring Allyson’s romantic, sly and swinging take on songs that have become part of our cultural fabric, from ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning’ to ‘Happy Talk’ to ‘I Cain’t Say No’ and numerous others. The collection, which marks the singer’s debut on the Motéma label, features the distinctive pairing of Kenny Barron on piano and John Patitucci on bass (only the second time the two have recorded together). Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s legendary musical partnership is among the greatest of the 20th century, resulting in such seminal Broadway productions as The King and I, South Pacific, Sound of Music, Oklahoma and Carousel. With her distinctive vocals, Allyson takes an array of these beloved songs on an elegant, intimate and joyful ride. Her arrangements, impeccably performed by Barron and Patitucci, manage to infuse these musical theater gems with a spare, sophisticated and intimate vibe that recalls the wee-hours in a late night Paris jazz club.
Track Listing:
1. Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’ 04:11
2. Many a New Day 03:00
3. Happy Talk 03:54
4. I Cain’t Say No 04:19
5. I Have Dreamed 04:56
6. Out of My Dreams 03:35
7. Bali Ha’i 05:08
8. When I Think of Tom/Hello Young Lovers 04:35
9. We Kiss in a Shadow 04:38
10. You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught 04:12
11. Something Wonderful 02:37
12. The Surrey with the Fringe on Top 03:32
13. Something Good 03:19
14. Edelweiss 02:33
All songs by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, except “Something Good” by Richard Rodgers
Personnel:
Karrin Allyson: vocals
Kenny Barron: piano
John Patitucci: upright bass
Recorded May 1, 2015 – May 2, 2015, at Sear Sound Studios, New York City, NY
Produced by Michael Leonhart and Karrin Allyson
Recording and Mixing: Katherine Miller
Assistant Engineer: Grant Valentine
Photography: Ingrid Hertfelder
Graphic Design: Rebecca Meek
Executive Producer: Jana Herzen
Review:
Why do jazz singers embrace so many songs by Rodgers and Hart yet so
few-save the Coltrane-blessed “My Favorite Things”-by Rodgers and Hammerstein?
While Rodgers’ music is accepted as consistently top-drawer, Hart’s lyrics are
widely considered sharper, wittier and more intellectual than Hammerstein’s.
Which is, in a word, hogwash. Yes, Hammerstein’s lyrics are often brighter and
frillier, but they are in no way less skillfully crafted nor less sophisticated
either in sentiment or structure. (Hammerstein’s work with Rodgers has also
been tarnished with that most toxic of brushes, immense commercial success.)
At last, the Hammerstein portion of the Rodgers canon is getting serious,
full-length appreciation, and Karrin Allyson, one of the finest jazz
interpreters around, is at the helm. Accompanying Allyson is the similarly
adroit duo of bassist John Patitucci and pianist Kenny Barron. It’s a heady
feast, extending from the sweet lilt of “Many a New Day” to the embittered
anguish of “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught,” and from the playful sauciness
of “I Cain’t Say No” to the sage tenderness of “Hello Young Lovers.” There’s no
room on this album for splashy solos or virtuosic grandstanding. The focus is
squarely on sensitive, intelligent arrangements shaped around Allyson’s unique
sound-slightly parched and gently tremulous-expressly built to exalt a spectrum
of instantly familiar yet largely underappreciated gems. An exquisitely
thoughtful trio album, it’s also an important one.
Christopher Loudon (JazzTimes)