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Sheila Jordan / Harvie S: Yesterdays
ByOffering previously unreleased material from a 1990 live performance, Jordan and S grab onto more than a dozen Great American Songbook warhorses, proving (among other things) that there are additional treasures hidden in these regularly-explored goldmines. The differences in this duo's renditions come from the rare talents of explorers Jordan and S; when these are combined, old gold seems brilliantly new.
Much has been writtenand deservedly soabout Jordan and her incredible bop-tinged vocal instrument. Here, with the finesse and balletic skill of a Cirque du Soleil gymnast ("Better Than Anything," "You Don't Know What Love Is"), she embraces her melodies superbly and still provides constant surprises. That's a musical instrument at work. That expected next note or ensuing phrase gets surprising embellishmentregister or dynamic alteration. Only the greatest jazz artistssaxophonist Charlie Parker being an example (and a major influence on a young Jordan), along with vocalists Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughanwere also blessed with that skill.
Jordan has frequently stated her love of the bass and the freedom it provides as a musical partner. The profundity of its sound, and its rhythmic/harmonic drive, become a launch platform for her escapades above. It is as if Jordan embraces S' bass sound in the same manner that the bassist caresses his instrument.
Yesterdays is indeed a silk purseone encrusted with the musical jewels that these two musicians have gathered.
Track Listing
Yesterdays; Better Than Anything; The Very Thought of You; You Don't Know What Love Is; Fats Waller Medley: Honeysuckle Rose/Ain't Misbehavin'; Mood Indigo; Waltz for Debby (Lazy Day); I Concentrate on You; Lazy Afternoon; Blue Skies; Fred Astaire Medley: Let's Face the Music and Dance/Cheek to Cheek/I Could Have Danced All Night.
Personnel
Sheila Jordan
vocalsSheila Jordan: vocals; Harvie S: bass.
Album information
Title: Yesterdays | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: HighNote Records