Sarah Partridge: Perspective

Sarah Partridge's recital, Perspective, follows three previous vocal recordings that mark the second half of her dual career as actor and singer. On her current offering, Partridge performs a collection of standards, with pianist Daniel May. that is as fresh and solid as Partridge's perfectly refined voice. The true beauty in Partridge's vocal delivery is her no-nonsense conservative approach to melody. She is much more a song stylist as opposed to a jazz singer, but then again, that is just semantics. Her interpretive gifts come closer to a Frank Sinatra or Barbra Streisand than a Mark Murphy or Betty Carter.

The enduring chestnut "Skylark" is a well-equipped vehicle for Partridge's perfectly balanced voice. The singer and pianist May are well-matched for this famous ballad, both approaching the piece with a careful, quiet grace respectful of its composers, transparently performing the song so that the genius of Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael shines through unimpeded. May's piano is light and melodic, a bed of violets upon which Partridge's warm voice reclines.