Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Tierney Sutton: Dancing in the Dark
Tierney Sutton: Dancing in the Dark
Sutton's voice, soft and smoky, is perfectly suited to the balladic repertoire, and her readings, albeit unlike Sinatra's, as well they should be, are nonetheless apt and persuasive. She is ably supported by pianist Christian Jacob, bassist Trey Henry, and drummer Ray Brinker, with whom she has worked for more than a decade. A string orchestra, conducted by Jacob, has been added on five numbers. I don't know whose idea that was, but it does little to enhance the performance, and I much prefer the seven tracks on which Sutton and the trio are on their own.
Among the latter, Sutton is especially warm and seductive on "Only the Lonely," "I'll Be Around," "I Could Have Told You," and "Last Night When We Were Young." It should be noted that she is no less captivating on a handful of songs whose connection to Sinatra is more tenuous, including "What'll I Do," "I Could Have Told You," "Emily," and the Rachmaninoff-based melody "I Think of You."
The finale, with strings attached, is a well-designed medley of Sammy Cahn/Jimmy van Heusen's "Last Dance" and Howard Dietz/Arthur Schwartz's "Dancing in the Dark," a lovely way to end an impassioned and essentially delightful homage to one of the twentieth century's meistersingers, Frank Sinatra, who was known and admired by his legions of fans simply as "the voice."
Track Listing
What'll I Do; Only the Lonely; I'll Be Around; All the Way; I Think of You; Where or When; Without a Song; I Could Have Told You; Emily; Last Night When We Were Young; Fly Me to the Moon; Last Dance / Dancing in the Dark (55:04).
Personnel
Tierney Sutton
vocalsTierney Sutton, vocals; Christian Jacob, piano; Trey Henry Bass; Ray Brinker, drums; Christian Jacob, piano. On tracks 1, 4, 5, 7, 12, orchestra conducted by Jacob — Peter Kent, concertmaster; Vladimir Polimatidi, Gina Kronstadt, Kathleen Robertson, Sharon Jackson, Susan Chatman, Erica Walczak, Kirstin Fife, Eddie Stein, Barbra Porter, Cameron Patrick, Juliann French, violin; Margot Aldcroft, Harry Shirinian, Jorge Moraga, Lynn Grants, viola; Larry Corbett, Armin Ksakajikian, Audy Stein, cello; Brad Kintscher, horn; Gary Foster, flute.
Album information
Title: Dancing in the Dark | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Telarc Records
About Tierney Sutton
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Tierney Sutton Concerts
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
