Cheryl Bentyne Sings the Winners

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

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

Recent articles (1,697 total)

Published: August 21, 2012

Howe's arrangement of "Fascinatin' Rhythm/I've Got Rhythm" is an inspired one, opening with Ken Peplowski's clarinet quoting the opening of "Rhapsody in Blue," which Bentyne begins to sing over before taking things doubletime, weaving "Fascinatin' Rhythm" and "I've Got Rhythm" (melody played by Peplowski) into taut medley fabric. Then Bentyne reverses things, singing "I Got Rhythm" over Peplowski's "Fascinatin' Rhythm" for a verse. This is exceptional arranging. Similarly, the ballad "Our Love is Here to Stay" is taken at a rollicking roadhouse pace, Allen turning in his best Red Garland block chords and soloing.

More clever arranging graces "Isn't It A Pity," which features vocalist Mark Winkler (as does a strolling "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off"). "Lady Be Good" begins with an extended quote from Dizzy Gillespie's "Groovin' High" again, featuring Peplowski on clarinet, dueling with Allan's walking left hand and Monk quotes. Peplowski adds a sepia touch to this otherwise modern interpretation, that swings hard. "Someone to Watch Over Me" is taken the straightest of all the performances. Bentyne's rich midrange gives these lyrics of innocence and exposure an informed emotional edge. "But Not for Me" is given an effective bossa nova treatment (somewhat a Bentyne specialty for standards). "Summertime" sports Bentyne's vocalese brilliance, vamping on the Gil Evans/Miles Davis interpretation from the trumpeter's Porgy and Bess (Columbia, 1958). An exceptional recording.

Cheryl Bentyne
Let's Misbehave: The Cole Porter Song Book
Summit Records
2012

Rich and creamy with a shot of Tabasco. That is the best way to describe the sophisticated composing of Cole Porter and the soprano voice necessary to make it real: that of Cheryl Bentyne. Focused collections like this accomplish two things. First, they present a concentration of given composer's work, bringing together a unified repertoire, and two, allow the performer to take all the necessary latitude to make the music new. The coupling of Porter and Bentyne is one perhaps even better than her tryst with Gershwin but gratefully, we don't have to say.

From the fragrant R&B of "Love for Sale" to the sassy "Let's Misbehave," Bentyne spins magic with the sharply defined arrangements of pianist/producer Corey Allen, whose sensitive accompaniment on "Just One of Those Things" mixed with Bentyne's broad midrange creates perfection. "What is This Thing Called Love" and "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" feature the late James Moody, whose breathy tenor summons Ben Webster by way of Stan Getz in a way only Moody could affect. Drummer Dave Tull is featured alone with Bentyne on a stunning "Begin The Beguine" duet. This is music making of intelligence and imagination.

Bentyne's finest moments are many. "It's Alright With Me" sports a brisk tempo and fine guitar solo by Larry Koonse. "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" is given a hard Latin rhythm that raises the temperature to a simmer, and simmer Bentyne does, delivering the lyrics with not mere coquettishness, but with sexy playfulness and experience. "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To" is a ballad transformed by a faster tempo and clipped delivery, again giving evidence that with the proper arrangement, any song can be transmuted into something new. Yes, Bentyne is back and feeling better than ever.

In spite of all of the chicken-little-the-sky-is-falling reportage regarding recorded music in general and jazz in particular, there remains a flood of vocal jazz recordings released. Most of them are good. Some of them are very good. But the truly exceptional jazz singer is just that: truly exceptional. And you know them when you hear them, no matter how much you listen and no matter how low the signal-to-noise ratio gets. Cheryl Bentyne is the consummate jazz singer who will continue to remind us what exceptional jazz singing is. Welcome back, sister.

Tracks and Personnel:

New York Sessions

Tracks: Last Night When We Were Young; Blue Moon See All; Boy Next Door; I Must Have That Man; But Beautiful; Thou Swell; When Your Lover Has Gone; Easy Living; In A Sentimental Mood; Stompin' At The Savoy; I Get Along With You Very Well (Except Sometimes); Waltz For Debby.

Personnel: Cheryl Bentyne: vocals; Kenny Barron: piano; Ray Drummond: bass.

The Gershwin Songbook

Tracks: Fascinating Rhythm/I Got Rhythm; Love Is Here to Stay; Isn't It A Pity; Summertime; A Foggy Day; Lady Be Good; Someone To Watch Over Me; How Long Has This Been Going On; The Man I Love; I've Got A Crush On You; But Not For Me; Let's Call the Whole Thing Off; Nice Work If You Can Get It; S'Wonderful.

Personnel: Cheryl Bentyne: vocals; Corey Allen: piano; Ted Howe: piano; Kevin Axt: bass; Larry Koonse: guitar: Dave Tull: drums, background vocal; Ken Peplowski: clarinet; Peter Gordon: flute; Mark Winkler: vocalist.

View All 1 2 3 Next »