Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Mark Winkler: Sweet Spot
Mark Winkler: Sweet Spot
By Track review of "But Not For Me"Perfect intonation or not, Winkler, like Caruso, possesses that most important vocal element for a singera distinctive voice. Winkler's sonics are less than perfect, his voice too refined to contain grit, possessing a rasp that makes it uniqueand, more importantly, identifiable. Add this to his keen arranger's ear and Winkler turns a standard like "But Not for Me" on its ear.
Childs introduces the Gershwin classic with a quote from the Miles Davis songbook, using Red Garland's original introduction to Davis' 1956 Prestige recording of "If I Were a Bell," from Relaxin' With the Miles Davis Quintet. Winkler casts the song as originally sung by Judy Garland in Girl Crazy. This is not your mother's Chet Baker cover; Winkler means business, singing crisply with superb support. A splendid bass solo sums up the rendition that is as tasteful as it is creative and emotive.
Track Listing
Like Young; Catch Me if You Can; But Not For Me; Sweet Spot; This Side Of Loving; Somewhere In Brazil (West Coast); After Hours; On Broadway; Jazz is a Special Taste; Some Other Sunset; Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring; Somewhere In Brazil (East Coast).
Personnel
Mark Winkler
vocalsMark Winkler: vocals; Eli Brueggemann: piano; Tim Emmons: bass; Steve Barnes: drums; Bob Sheppard: sax; Kim Richmond: sax; Grant Geissman: guitar; Billy Childs: piano; Greg Hutchinson: drums; Anthony Wilson; guitar; Nolan Shaheed: trumpet; Robert Hurst: bass; Luis Conte: percussion.
Album information
Title: Sweet Spot | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Cafe Pacific Records