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Sarah DeLeo: The Nearness of You
In the case of Sarah DeLeo, I believe that we're only conscious of the similarity on songs that were in the Peggy Lee songbook. For instance, her performance of Lee's oft-used opening song "It's A Good Day," co-written by her then-husband Dave Barbour, is right on the money. I cannot think of an existing recording of Peggy Lee performing the Ray Charles-associated song "(The Night Time Is) The Right Time," although I've seen her singing Ray Charles tunes on TV during the early '60s. DeLeo's rendering of this song is amazingly close to how Lee might have performed it, right down to the arrangement.
The Ned Washington/Hoagy Carmichael title tune is given an intimate reading assisted by Chris Bergson's guitar work, and on the Matt Dennis/Earl Brent classic "Angel Eyes" DeLeo performs an attractive duet with Mark Verdino's bass. Ditto for the Rodgers & Hart song "It's Easy To Remember," with only the supporting trio of Bergson, Verdino, and Diego Voglino on brushes. However, the Billy Hill ballad "The Glory of Love" is a mistake. Upgraded to a rock-ish tempo, the lyrics are sung in an odd meter, evidently reflecting the work of rapper Mos Def, and become meaningless.
The Nearness of You also includes two songs taken from more contemporary settings. Americana singer/songwriter Erin McKeown contributes "Blackbirds" and Chuck Meyer and Bill Jones provide a witty "Too Young For The Blues."
Track Listing
If I Had You; It's a Good Day; The Nearness of You; The Right Time; The Glory of Love; Blackbirds; Too Young for the Blues; Angel Eyes; It's Easy to Remember; So in Love.
Personnel
Sarah DeLeo
vocalsSarah DeLeo: vocal; Chris Bergson: guitar; Brian Charette: piano; David Cook: Rhodes electric piano; Chuck Mackinnon: trumpet; Mark Verdino: bass; Diego Boglino: drums.
Album information
Title: The Nearness of You | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Sweet Sassy Music
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Williamsburg Jazz Festival 2005