Dee Dee Bridgewater: J'ai Deux Amours (2006)

Hrayr Attarian

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2006

Hrayr is the armchair jazz listener par exellence.

Recent articles (176 total)

Published: December 14, 2006

Every artist occasionally produces a lightweight work—and by lightweight, I do not mean necessarily bad. In fact, some of these efforts can be artistically very creative and satisfying. J'ai Deux Amours is definitely on the lighter side, and it's definitely quite enjoyable. Dee Dee Bridgewater chose a collection of French cabaret-style songs and a couple of standards (sung in French as well as the original English). She's is backed by a quartet of musicians playing accordion, guitar, bass and drums. The absence of horns and piano places her gorgeous voice and coquettish singing center stage.

She is certainly a skilled vocalist, and here again she shines, despite singing in a foreign language. The very atmospheric music evokes the mood in French cafés on a lazy afternoon or at sunset, lending a mellow and laid-back effect overall. There are no blistering solos, inventive scatting or complex improvisations. Bridgewater interprets the simple melodies with an appropriate simplicity, yet also utmost skill and creativity—making this recording, which is far from boring, one that grows more enjoyable with every listen.

There's no denying that J'ai Deux Amours is light and fluffy and may possibly have sacrificed substance for form. But it is tasty and enjoyable, much like the cinnamon-sweet froth of a cappuccino can be, even before one gets to the strong bite of the coffee.

Track Listing: J'ai Deux Amours; La Mer (Beyond The Sea); Ne Me Quitte Pas; Mon Homme (My Man); Et Maintenant; Que Reste-t-Il De Nos Amours; Dansez Sur Moi (Girl Talk); La Belle Vie (The Good Life); Avec Le Temps; La Vie En Rose; Les Feuilles Mortes.

Personnel: Dee Dee Bridgewater: vocals; Louis Winsberg: guitar; Marc Berthoumieux: accordion; Ira Coleman: bass; Minino Garay: drums, percussion.

Record Label: Sovereign Artists
Style: Beyond Jazz