Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Trudy Desmond: A Dream Come True

Trudy Desmond: A Dream Come True

By Jim Santella
August 19, 2005
View read count

Trudy Desmond made four studio recordings in her lifetime. Cancer took the vocalist from us all too soon. She could interpret a song convincingly, and she always gave us a warm musical performance. This compilation gives us the best of Trudy Desmond through excerpts from RSVP (1988), Tailor Made (1991), Make Me Rainbows (1995), and My One and Only (1998).

Her clear vocal delivery makes each song come to life. Desmond is accompanied by great friends, and her programs offer genuine pleasure. Guitarist Ed Bickert gives "I've Got the World on a String" a complementary lift. Pianist Roger Kellaway gives "Make Someone Happy" a lush texture that sparkles brightly, and trombonist Jim Pugh adds an uplifting quality through his improvised solo. Piano, bass, and drums give the singer a pared down aura on "Things Are Looking Up" as she takes a stroll through feel-good territory. Her convincing interpretations have a powerful effect. You can't help feeling good all over.

Throughout each selection, Desmond lets her vocal interpretations sweep away our troubles. She sings about happy times and daydreams that have come true. Pianist Bill Charlap helps her take "You Better Love Me" on a forceful parade that celebrates a life filled with stories to tell. She told them with the kind of conviction that few can muster. As she sings in "That's All," while surrounded by friends who respect her emotional depth and superb musical delivery, "I can only give you love that lasts forever."

Track Listing

If I Were a Bell; I'm Lucky to be Me; I Got Rhythm; I've Got the World on a String; I'm Shadowing You; You're the Top; They All Laughed; Whistling Away the Dark; Just For a Thrill; Make Someone Happy; That's All; The Best Thing For You; Nice Work If You Can Get It; I See Your Face Before Me; You Better Love Me; Things Are Looking Up; Sometimes.

Personnel

Trudy Desmond: vocals; Don Thompson: piano, vibraphone; Roger Kellaway, Bill Mays, Bill Charlap: piano; Ed Bickert, Rob Piltch, Reg Schwager, Gene Bertoncini: guitar; Neil Swainson, Bob Cranshaw: bass; Terry Clarke, Ron Vincent: drums; Randy Brecker: trumpet; Jim Pugh: trombone; Carol Buck: cello; Rick Wilkins: tenor saxophone on "You're the Top;" Tom Szezesniak: accordion on "Whistling Away the Dark;" Adele Armin, Vera Tarnowsky: violin on "Whistling Away the Dark;" Terry Helmer: viola on "Whistling Away the Dark;" Richard Armin: cello on "Whistling Away the Dark;" Rick Lazar: percussion on "I Got Rhythm."

Album information

Title: A Dream Come True | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Just A Memory

Tags

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.