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Patrice Williamson + Jon Wheatley: Comes Love - A Tribute To Ella Fitzgerald And Joe Pass
ByWilliamson, not one to simply deliver rote copies of somebody else's material, manages to simultaneously pay tribute to Fitzgerald and put together a unique song cycle that mirrors the arc of a relationship. Comes Love comes into being with the signs of enthusiasm and apprehension that signal the dawn of love, but it eventually moves toward disillusionment and all that comes with the end of a romance. The materialtwelve songs pulled straight from the Fitzgerald-Pass repertoireis brilliantly sequenced and arranged, showcasing Williamson's warm, flexible, and emotive alto while also spotlighting the shared sensibilities in this artistic pairing.
The album waltzes in on the wings of Toots Thielemans' "Bluesette," featuring some overdubbed flute work from Williamson. It's a tad more mannered than one might expect, but completely in step with the nature of a duo. Then this pair takes us through "Comes Love," the first of several opportunities to witness some scatting; "'Tis Autumn," which presents in breezy fashion and gives pause to appreciate Williamson's clear-voiced enunciation and Wheatley's finely woven lines; "I May Be Wrong (But I Think You're Wonderful)," floating in as a dream sequence before surprising the ear with its shifts between sections in 7/4 and 5/4; and "Take Love Easy," which proves to be a classy, straight-down-the-middle standout.
As the album hits its midpoint with "I Want To Talk About You" and "Why Don't You Do Right?," those following the story will note that the relationship under observation starts to move toward a (more) noticeable decline. Pieces like the immortal "Lush Life," "You Turned The Tables On Me," and "By Myself" paint clear pictures of where things have gone and where they're headed. Williamson draws out the requisite emotions in each number while imbuing them with touches of her own story. The relationship eventually comes to an end, but every ending serves as a beginning, something highlighted by a "One Note Samba" sendoff that speaks to rebirth and rejuvenation.
Williamson, with the help of Wheatley and co-producer Helen Sung, has created an album that's rich in feeling, concept, and content. Comes Love carries the legacy of Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass forward while reminding us that Patrice Williamson and Jon Wheatley are artists with their own musical benefactions to bestow upon the jazz world.
Track Listing
Bluesette; Comes Love; 'Tis Autumn; I May Be Wrong (But I Think You're Wonderful); Take Love Easy; I Want To Talk About You; Why Don't You Do Right?; Don't Be That Way Lush Life; You Turned The Tables On Me; By Myself; One Note Samba.
Personnel
Patrice Williamson
vocalsPatrice Williamson: vocals, flute (1, 12), shaker (12); Jon Wheatley: guitar.
Album information
Title: Comes Love - A Tribute To Ella Fitzgerald And Joe Pass | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced
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About Patrice Williamson
Instrument: Vocals
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