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Tierney Sutton: Paris Sessions 2
ByThe original adornments on Paris Sessions (BFM Jazz, 2007) were remarkable, so it made sense to take another stroll through Luxembourg Gardens for more inspiration. Long time collaborators, bassist Kevin Axt and acoustic guitarist Serge Merlaud , are tightly in sync with Sutton throughout the venture. Yet it never sounds forced or arranged. Every song has the natural flow of conversation. Sutton alternately sings, scats, and uses her voice as an instrument. The brilliance of it is that it just comes out however she is feeling in that moment. The group set the tone with a lovely take on Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Triste," before revisiting "April in Paris/A Free Man In Paris." Sutton isn't so much covering the Mitchell song, rather honoring and embracing it through her own lens. Guest flutist Hubert Laws brings his serene voice to the mix, starting with Jobim's "Zingaro." Joyfully, Sutton, Laws, Merlaud, and Axt glide as one in soft bossa nova.
George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin's "Isn't It A Pity," was warmly and astutely embraced by all. Sutton's impeccable phrasing was never more exquisite. Coupled with Merlaud's brilliant articulation , "Isn't It A Pity," was a superbly crafted piece of music. Sutton and Merlaud again merge as one on "Beautiful Love." This lyrical samba was enhanced by a chordal bass solo from Axt. Sutton's close relationship with lyricists Marilyn Bergman and Alan Bergman was honored with ambitious work on three Bergman pieces. With music written by Ennio Morricone, "Cinema Paradiso/I Knew I Loved You" is followed by "Moonlight" (John Williams wrote the music.) The Bergmans have been close friends with Sutton for many years. It's easy to hear that sentiment in every line. Marilyn Bergman passed away in January of 2022. A heartfelt rendering of the Bergman's "A Child Is Born"(music composer Dave Grusin) was impactful and featured Laws cascading the music as it billowed away with dignity and grace. Stoically, Sutton shared her vulnerability by embracing her feelings and channeling them into a very real and touching moment.
"Pure Imagination" would seem to be a perfect song to fit Sutton's ability to reimagine. It was indeed the game winning home run one might have expected. Merlaud's captivating guitar entry opens into a wondrous embrace with Sutton. Merlaud alternately duos with Sutton's voice and scat. Their exchanges on "Pure Imagination" are stunning. Sutton often uses her voice as an Instrument. Here, Sutton penetrated with such emotion on the second verse that one feels as if the magic land of pure imagination is right there at one's fingertips. She is not a singer with a band behind her. She is part of the band. Her voicings are treated by her bandmates as an additional player. A trio becomes a quartet, a quartet becomes a quintet.
Moving into a more upbeat direction, "Doralice" has the band grooving. Sutton, Merlaud, and Axt are in tight with cerebral conversation. "August Winds" was impeccably performed in colorful fashion. Axt stretching out into a melodic bass solo. Cole Porter gets in on the act with Sutton's reimagining of his "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To." Sutton's signature approach was as if meant to be on this one. Fascinating to hear the minds of Porter and Sutton converge as if they were working side by side. Sutton lets her band fly on the last tune, entitled "Chorado." Laws saved his best solo for last, as the band punctuated a fine recording.
Once again, Sutton has reshaped and reinvented the past into a modern outlook. Precious memories remain intact, but are also viewed and heard with a fresh perspective. C'est magnifiique.
Track Listing
Triste; April in Paris/Free Man in Paris; Zingaro; Isn't It a Pity; Beautiful Love; Cinema Paradiso/I Knew I Loved You; Moonlight; Pure Imagination; A Child is Born; Doralice; August Winds; You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To; Chorado.
Personnel
Album information
Title: Paris Sessions 2 | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: BFM Jazz
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Tierney Sutton
Album Review
Jim Worsley
Paris Sessions 2
BFM Jazz
Joni Mitchell
Kevin Axt
Serge Merlaud
Antonio Carlos Jobim
Hubert Laws
George Gershwin
Ira Gershwin
Marilyn Bergman
Alan Bergman
Ennio Morricone
John Williams
Dave Grusin
Cole Porter