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Nikolett Pankovits: Magia
ByThe torch songs come courtesy of the repertoire of legendary Hungarian actress/singer Katalin Karády, who is famous for her rescue of numerous Hungarian Jews during World War II. They are given spare arrangements with acoustic guitar, drums, and upright bass. Guest saxophonist Greg Tardy adds an additional color to "Fogadj El Engem."
Two other songs share a similar vintage. "Gloomy Sunday/Szomorú Vasárnap" (aka "Hungarian Suicide Song") was published in 1933, and made famous with Billie Holiday's 1941 version in English. "Don't Ask Me Who I Was/ Ne kérdezd ki voltam" is a 1941 song also associated with Karády, with Pankovits' English lyrics. This is very dark material, on the topics of suicide and faithless love. Pankovits sings them beautifully, but I have to say that I was not convinced emotionally. She just seems entirely too sunny for such bleak feelings.
She redeems herself with the closer, the Mandel/Bergman standard "Where Do You Start?" With the help of pianist Jason Lindner and Tardy's saxophone, this beautiful song about divorce finds just the right tone. Other standouts include the Balkan dance rhythm of "La Dama De La Muerte," with a dialogue between trumpeter Josh Deutsch and violinist Zach Brock (who is second only to Herrera as MVP of the session). On the sole original, "Stop For A Moment," Herrera is featured on electric guitar for the only time.
Nikolett Pankovits makes a strong debut here, aided by Herrera's skillful arranging and a strong supporting cast of musicians. It will be interesting to see what she does next.
Track Listing
Kis Kece Lányom; Madárka, madárka; Száz Panasz Ég a Dalomban; La Dama De La Muerte; Gloomy Sunday/Szomorú Vasárnap; Don't Ask Me Who I Was/ Ne kérdezd ki voltam; Fogadj El Engem; Bésame Mucho; Stop For A Moment; Where Do You Start?.
Personnel
Nikolett Pankovits
vocalsNikolett Pankovits: vocals, piano (1); Zach Brock: violin (1,2,4,5,8,9); Juancho Herrera: guitar (2,3,5,7,9); Jason Lindner: piano (4,6,7,8,10); John Benitez: upright bass (2,4,5,6,7,8,9); Yayo Serka: drums, percussion (1,3,4,5,8,9); Adriano Santos: drums, percussion (2,7,8); Josh Deutsch: trumpet (4,9); Greg Tardy: tenor saxophone (7,10); Ferenc Nemeth: drums (6); Keita Ogawa: percussion (2,7); Edward Perez: upright bass (1); Jorge Roeder: upright bass (3).
Album information
Title: Magia | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: Self Produced
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About Nikolett Pankovits
Instrument: Vocals
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