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Judy Wexler: Easy on the Heart
Instead of the usual standards, Wexler does well by choosing some lesser-known jazz songs, as well as a couple of pop tunes. Her assertive, no-frills delivery is a dominant and pleasant feature in her singing, as it focuses our attention on the clear and lucid storytelling. The extras in her style are subtle, delicate, well-timed, purposeful, and a testament to her good taste.
Playful and lovely songs like "Nobody Else But Me" and Oscar Brown Jr.'s "Humdrum Blues" are nicely countered with more morose features like Abbey Lincoln's "I'm in Love" and the album's best piece, "Tell Him I Said Hello." Wexler's forte is jazz, though she delves into pop tunes like the Beatles' "In My Life" and Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right." Both are satisfactory, though they lack the dynamic range of the livelier jazz fare. On the album's final offering, for example, Irving Berlin's "I Got Lost in His Arms," she clearly knows what liberties to take, what lines to stretch and, more importantly, how to enchant us fully.
While this album more than meets any demands of a debut effort, here's hoping time and experience challenge Wexler to greater artistry and individuality. Certainly, as heard on Easy on the Heart, her skills are more than ready for such a project.
Track Listing
Moment To Moment, I'm In Love, Humdrum Blues, Easy On The Heart, Nobody Else But Me, In My Life, Beautiful Love/Gorgeous Creature, Tell Him I Said Hello, Love Is A Necessary Evil, Don't Think Twice It's All Right, If You Could Love Me, Down Here On The Ground, I Got Lost In His Arms.
Personnel
Judy Wexler
vocalsJudy Wexler,vocals; Alan Pasqua, piano, arranger; Derek Oles, bass; Tim Pleasant, drums; Bob Sheppard, bass clarinet and saxophones; Steven Campos, trumpet, flugelhorn
Album information
Title: Easy On The Heart | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Rhombus Records
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