Barbara Reed: Lucky Still

Lucky Still is a deeply moving track from the pen and vocal talents of L.A.-based singer, composer and author Barbara Reed. The presentation is lush with a crew of piano, rhythm, and strings drawn from first-call L.A. and Las Vegas musicians who accompany Reed. Originally from New England, Reed has been on the L.A. scene for decades, being quite active as a solo artist and primarily accompanying herself on piano. As an author, she's written a handful-plus of critically-acclaimed books and screenplays.

This ballad has a dramatic and cinematic vibe to it. In a minor key, it is both melodically and lyrically a throwback to the days when films generated highly memorable romantic music—for example, Francis Lai's "Love Story" or Michel Legrand's "Windmills of Your Mind" themes. The similarity might not be a surprise as Reed is an author/screenwriter who has worked in the crime novel genre. She has indicated in interviews that both the "Bosch" crime series (Hieronymous Pictures, 2014-2021) and fellow Down Easter, Jesse Voccia's score for it were inspirational impetuses for this piece.

Vocally, Reed has fine range, diction and intonation. She draws emotional juice from her well-scripted lyrics and adds dynamic and verbal inflection without mush. She is simultaneously powerful and sensitive. The portrait we get from her performance is that of a lover's grasping at a reverberating memory, but one not entirely faded or lost.

The piano intro and accompaniment set up Reed for her to deliver the slower, triple-feel song initially rubato. Bill Zappia's piano is fine accompaniment there and throughout. The strings and rhythm/time launch on the second A section—a neat arranging touch. The bridge offers Reed surrounded by counterpointed strings dancing around and above. The subsequent final section is prefaced by a brief statement from Rob Katz's acoustic guitar with deep, flowing string lines then joining. That waltz-like platform continues up until ultimately embellishing and mirroring the introduction until all offer the haunting suspended ending.

Throughout the session, the stellar rhythm section of Rob Katz, John Belzaguy and Doug Tann are sensitive, yet involved. The arrangement, orchestration and production values are excellent.

Lucky Still is a sonorous, emotion-evocative effort by a talented singer/composer and her ace team.