Marty Elkins: Fuse Blues

C. Michael Bailey

Senior Contributor since 1997

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

Recent articles (1,693 total)

Published: November 1, 2000

Whitebread in a Good Way. Marty Elkins swings her ass off. In a gentle sort of way, I might add. She has got a Betty Carter delivery that is just inside of the ballpark of the boldness of Carter. Elkins is very exact, taking some chances vocally, but only those she is confident of claiming. This is no mean criticism, Marty Elkins is Anita O'Day without the hyperkinetic scat. There is nothing to not enjoy (double negatives and all).

Gosh, I can really find little wrong with this disc. Elkins has done her homework and she is accomplished in all corners of her craft. "Day In, Day Out" is a straight-ahead romp, "Stars Fell on Alabama" is almost colloquial and "In The Wee Small Hours" sounds as if it could have been included in the score of The Wizard of Oz with "Over The Rainbow". Most outspoken in the rhythm section is Greg Skaff on guitar. He makes all things mellow, providing a plush bedrock rhythm. Herb Pomeroy played his tasteful trumpet and Houston Person, his tenor saxophone. But the true star here is Elkins. She is a unique talent.

Track Listing: Day In, Day Out; Stars Fell On Alabama; Moonray/No Moon At All; In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning; As Long As I Live; When Your Lover Has Gone; We'll Be Together Again; Fuse Blues; There's No You; Born To Be Blue; Soon; Never. Neverland; You're Blase. (Total Time: 58:58)

Personnel: Marty Elkins: Vocals; Herb Pomeroy: Trumpet; Houston Person: Tenor Saxophone; Tardo Hammer: Piano; Greg Skaff: Guitar; Dennis Irwin: Bass; Mark Taylor: Drums.

Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream