Denise Mangiardi: On the Brink

Originally from Freeport, Long Island, New York and now residing on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom, multi-faceted vocalist, composer, arranger, and engineer, Denise Mangiardi offers On the Brink, her eighth album as leader. Consisting of seven exceptionally well-performed selections with a handful of vivid originals and two classics, this is a masterful effort that is intriguing, enlightening, and a most enjoyable listen.

"The Walk" is a lovely light bossa nova that is lushly beautiful. Mangiardi dreamily vocalizes her poetic lyrics with strings countering angelically above. Luca Boscagin offers an acoustic guitar solo as Cindy Scott's alto flute adds an additional beautiful touch. This is a terrific opener. Plucked from the Great American Songbook, Mangiardi gives an elegant ballad presentation of Cole Porter's "Every Time We Say Goodbye." Her melodic intensity and rhythmic pacing here are exceptional and are vaguely reminiscent to the interpretation of the tune by the great Little Jimmy Scott. As things move into a light swing, Pianist Michael Pellera, who arranged the track -drops a tasty solo as the velvet of the Louisiana Symphonic Orchestra whirls about. A darker, arpeggiated piano-cum-bass minor keyed motif and strings introduce the soundscape of the title track, "On the Brink," an enchantingly dark Mangiardi original. Tony DaGradi's soprano prances ribbons over the motif. Mangiardi's fine vocal effort here dovetails with the cinematic noir feel.

Mangiardi has an inviting higher voice with a shade of whisper (and rasp when needed) with a balletic flair for lyric interpretation. She's dead-on pitch-wise and in diction, as well. Her five original compositions are romantically flavored tales with emotionally charged lyric content. Her arrangements and plush orchestrations are gorgeous and are reminiscent of those of the greatest of string writers—Johnny Mandel, Jorge Calandrelli, and her Berklee predecessor, Alan Broadbent.

Luca Boscagin's exotic solo guitar and Arthur Brouns electronic bed introduce the darker and mildly dramatic ballad, "Portrait of Lady." Echoes abound and reverberate around Mangiardi's fine vocal interpretation of her poetic lyrics. The expanse here is certainly cinematic and reminiscent of the macabre flavors of Bernard Hermann. "Les Rues of Paris" is a lovely waltz, delivered by Mangiardi in perfect French. Emily Mikesell offers a lovely flugelhorn solo with drummer Johnny Vidacovich's brushes a very tasty touch. It is a romantically continental selection. "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," debuted by Frank Sinatra in 1955 and still regularly recorded, brings a superbly appropriate close the session in the tune's usual balladic vibe. Mangiardi plays it straight and great here with marvelous restraint and respect. A fine chorus from Tony DaGradi's tenor adds to the classic's interpretation.

The crew that the artist retained to surround her here is supremely first class and they add significantly to the excellence of the entire production. The Louisiana Symphonic Orchestra is provided with outstanding arrangement material, and they shine. The entirety of the production is excellent.

On the Brink is an outstanding album by an extremely talented vocalist, pianist, composer, and arranger. Every aspect of the session is tasteful, elegant, and brilliantly presented.