Emma Smith: Bitter Orange

Some singers are so distinctive that it is tough to find the proper adjectives to describe them. Emma Smith has a memorable and arresting voice. She has, as musicians say, 'something,' which is a style that leaves no room for doubt. Second, she is not afraid of being herself and out there for all to hear. She controls the time; the time does not control her. And third, well, she is sort of the Larry Csonka of jazz singers. Right up the middle and everyone gets a black eye. Smith is and is not right on the beat: most of the time, she hits with an accent. And then, suddenly, she is somewhere else, legato or rubato, and wait for it, in tune.

What makes a vocalist interesting? Well, in this case, quite a bit. Nothing subtle about Smith, but that is just fine. You might think, "Well, that version of a tune was different, but In a good way."

This is by no means Smith's s first rodeo. She has several previous recordings to her credit, although she might not be completely familiar to audiences in the US. She has been wowing audiences in London at Ronnie Scott's, and small wonder. On this recording, she does a number of Great American Songbook pieces, but her way. That is so to say, differently, history be damned.

When Rosemary Clooney does the same repertoire, well, it is in the tradition and memorable. Listen to Smith do "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered," and something very different comes out. It is a sort of Cuban nightclub version, going from 6/8 to 4/4 and bidding the listener, "Come hither." She favors both punchy straight notes and the occasional melisma, bar lines be damned. Try "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" as well. It will be time well spent. Yes, it is not a new tune, but with Smith, it might as well be.

Her band is perfect: it is not there. It supports her effortlessly. One listens to Smith, not to Smith's band.

That is the key to Smith's talent: "Yes, I've heard that song before, but not precisely that way." She is a fresh sound doing things differently. And very much worth hearing. Smith also produced the recording and co-arranged it. The artwork for the liner is hers as well. The talented Emma Smith.

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