Patrice Williamson: Free to Dream (2002)

C. MICHAEL BAILEY,

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

...wants to know if Gene Harris is playing "Summertime" in Heaven...

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Published: July 1, 2002

Carefully...

Free to Dream is the second recording by vocalist Patrice Williamson. The thirtysomething Memphis native follows up her 1998 debut, My Shining Hour with a contemporary collection of originals and standards accented with intelligence and pathos, both in choice and performance. Her originals are epistles of spirituality and self-actualization...and they swing, albeit with a humid momentum.

Ms. Williamson has a beautiful low alto voice that could be likened to a smooth single-malt scotch with the hint of a breathless backdraft. This is a voice that is well suited to the more inventive interpretations on the disc like "The Sound of Music Suite" (dedicated to her late father) and Bud Powell's "Celia" (sung in a precision-point scat). Ms. Williamson also contributes her flute to "Gentle Rain" and "Putting on the Ritz." An enjoyable vocal outting.

Track Listing: In The Loop; But Not For Me; Free To Dream; With A Song In My Heart; The Gentle Rain; U Don't Know What You're Missin'; The Sound Of Music Suite; Alone Together; My Love Is; Love Me Or Leave Me; Celia; Another Star; Puttin' On The Ritz. (Total Time: 73:53).

Personnel: Patrice Williamson-- Vocals, Flute; Ron Savage-- Drums; Mark Shilansky-- Piano; Eric Byers: guitars; Jason Hunter-- Tenor And Soprano Saxophones; Kera Washington-- Percussion; Keala Kaumeheiwa-- Bass.

Record Label: River Lily
Style: Vocal