Ed Lambert/Carol Gaylor: Lambert and Gaylor

Although partner Ed Lambert gets top billing, it's Carol Gaylor who clearly is the heroine on this maiden album. She touches all the musical genre bases, English rock, soft rock, country, adult contemporary, Caribbean and selections from the Great American Songbook. And she passes muster on them all. "I Fall to Pieces" is a country classic and a favorite of country music icon Patsy Cline. While Gaylor's rendition won't make one forget Cline's, it is still one to be reckoned with. In Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" one hears why Simon continues to be a major star in the popular song galaxy. Gaylor and her sister, Jean Lambert (she married Ed) get together on "The Way You Look Tonight" accompanied by some nice Matt Rogers sax. "Cheek to Cheek" shows off Gaylor's restrained scatting skills. She does not let wordless vocalizing detract from the song's lyrics. The late Eva Cassidy's rendition of this tune helped get Gaylor interested in singing the standards.

Gaylor has solid musical genes. Her father headed is one of Washington D.C. most respected musical institutions, the Air Force Band with its Singing Sergeants and outstanding solists which made its concerts so popular. The genetic inheritance was not limited to Carol as seen by the personnel listing. Craig Gaylor is on harmonica and, as already noted, sister Jean Lambert is the backup vocalist.

This initial outing is a fine 40 plus minute set of musical entertainment from this Washington D.C. duo and is recommended. To obtain the album. e-mail Gaylor at [email protected].