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Jackie Ryan: Listen Here
ByRyan recruited bassist/arranger extraordinaire John Clayton to build a band around her voice and he reached out to some of his first-call friends and relatives from the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and the Clayton Brothers Quintet. Together, this group of West Coast jazz elites makes magic. Saxophonist Rickey Woodward preaches from the soul with horn in hand ("Accentuate The Positive"), trumpeter Gilbert Castellanos brings the heat, guitarist Graham Dechter proves to be a wonderful accompanist when Ryan opens up her Spanish heart for all to see ("La Puerta"), and drummer Obed Calvaire shifts effortlessly from style to style.
Each of those individuals adds volumes to the album, but John Clayton and his unbelievably musical offspringpianist Gerald Claytonprove to be the two most valuable players. The elder Clayton's impeccable time and feel, along with his instincts and arranging skills, help to sell the songs. Gerald Clayton demonstrates an encyclopedic knowledge of styles, sounds and suggestive maneuvers. He can thrive in a dark, brooding and funky headspace ("Comin' Home Baby"), deliver churchy, Richard Tee-like backing without a problem ("Accentuate The Positive") and inhabit a Count Basie-esque, less-is-more mindset (Anytime, Any Day, Anywhere").
As good as the instrumentalists may beand they are damn goodthis date still belongs to Ryan and she makes sure that nobody forgets it. She can proselytize with the best of them ("Accentuate The Positive"), inhabit a Billie Holiday-like space ("Anytime, Any Day, Anywhere"), commune with the blues ("No One Ever Tells You"), deliver brilliantly emotional performances ("Throw It Away," "A Time For Love") and carry directness in her words ("Listen Here"). Her sense of passion for this music comes through at every turn and her skills as an interpreter are second to none.
Listen Here makes an impression in a big way and furthers the already sterling reputation of one of the current vocal treasures in the world of jazz.
Track Listing
Comin' Home Baby; The Gypsy In My Soul; Throw It Away; Accentuate The Positive; Anytime, Any Day, Anywhere; I Loves You Porgy; How Little We Know (How Little It Matters); La Puerta; Rip Van Winkle; A Time For Love; No One Ever Tells You; Before We Fall In Love; To The Ends Of The Earth; Listen Here.
Personnel
Jackie Ryan
vocalsGerald Clayton
pianoJohn Clayton
bassGilbert Castellanos
trumpetGraham Dechter
guitarObed Calvaire
drumsRickey Woodard
saxophoneAlbum information
Title: Listen Here | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: OpenArt Productions
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