Sarah Partridge: Perspective (2010)

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: October 12, 2010

Track review of "Skylark"

Sarah Partridge's recital, Perspective, follows three previous vocal recordings that mark the second half of her dual career as actor and singer. On her current offering, Partridge performs a collection of standards, with pianist Daniel May. that is as fresh and solid as Partridge's perfectly refined voice. The true beauty in Partridge's vocal delivery is her no-nonsense conservative approach to melody. She is much more a song stylist as opposed to a jazz singer, but then again, that is just semantics. Her interpretive gifts come closer to a Frank Sinatra Frank Sinatra
1915 - 1998
vocal or Barbra Streisand Barbra Streisand
b.1942
vocal than a Mark Murphy Mark Murphy
b.1932
vocal or Betty Carter Betty Carter
1930 - 1998
vocal .

The enduring chestnut "Skylark" is a well-equipped vehicle for Partridge's perfectly balanced voice. The singer and pianist May are well-matched for this famous ballad, both approaching the piece with a careful, quiet grace respectful of its composers, transparently performing the song so that the genius of Johnny Mercer Johnny Mercer
1909 - 1976
composer/conductor and Hoagy Carmichael Hoagy Carmichael
1899 - 1981
piano shines through unimpeded. May's piano is light and melodic, a bed of violets upon which Partridge's warm voice reclines.