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Thisbe Vos: Under Your Spell
ByThe sprite original "Shanghai Blues" gets the program going and features reed man Geoff Nudell accompanying Vos on a whistling clarinet solo. While the singer performs with a sharp septet, there are a few tracks where her ballad style love songs are backed up by The Pasadena String Ensemble and none as beautiful as the romantic title piece. The Theloneous Monk classic "Round Midnight" is another tune enjoying a string-laden musical atmosphere demonstrating the vocalist's affinity for ballads. The first of her well-chosen standards is "I Thought About You," a rendition that provides Vos with an opportunity to reach the high notes as well as highlighting musical director and pianist Gary Matsumoto .
There is an array of highlights here including "That's All Right With Me" where the singer's gorgeous vocal shares the stage with tenor saxophonist Carl Randall, "He's A Tramp" where the melody is catchy and the tempo light and breezy and the swinging, almost raunchy "Just A Fool Over You" where Nolan Shaheed's muted trumpet sets the mood. Irving Berlin's "Always" and Fats Waller's naughty "Ain't Misbehavin'" rounds out the program capping a fine vocal offering. Gifted with a silky voice and a knack for writing love songs, Thisbe Vos is an exciting vocalist who sprinkles a little dust of magic on Under Your Spell romancing her way into your heart and delivering an enchanting vocal performance.
Track Listing
1. Shanghai Blues (Thisbe Vos) - 2:29; 2. Under Your Spell (Thisbe Vos) - 5:02; 3. I Thought About You (Jimmy Van Heusen/ Johnny Mercer) - 3:26; 4. That's All Right With Me (Thisbe Vos) - 4:54; 5. I Need You (Thisbe Vos) - 3:29; 6. Round Midnight (Thelonius Monk/Bernie Hanighen) - 3:07; 7. He's A Tramp (Peggy Lee/Sonny Burke) - 2:56; 8. Now You Are Here (Thisbe Vos) - 4:50; 9. Just A Fool Over You (Thisbe Vos) - 4:29; 10. Rue de la Huchette (Thisbe Vos) - 3:35; 11. Always (Irving Berlin) - 5:14; 12. Ain't Misbehavin' (Fats Waller/Harry Brooks/ Andy Razaf) - 2:34
Personnel
Thisbe Vos
vocalsGary Matsumoto
pianoHenry Franklin
bassDonald Dean
drumsNolan Shaheed
trumpetCarl Randall
saxophone, tenorGeoff Nudell
clarinetMichael Higgins
guitarThe Pasadena String Ensemble played string arrangements on three songs (arrangements by Jim McMillen). Geoff Nudell additionally played alto clarinet, bass clarinet, flute and alto flute.
Album information
Title: Under Your Spell | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Prime Productions