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Susannah McCorkle: Someone To Watch Over Me

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Susannah McCorkle: Someone To Watch Over Me
Having already tackled the works of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and Johnny Mercer, McCorkle turns her attention to another great American composer, George Gershwin. One can't argue with the song selection, they are all classic standards, but this time out Susannah seems less than inspired. Perhaps the formula is wearing thin. Her voice, which has acquired a nice, husky bur over the years, is fine and is perfectly suited to the material. She is always been a fine lyric interpreter but here she lacks the improvisational skills needed to put a new spin on these well-trodden tunes. Even conductor Allen Farnham's arrangements seem tired and apart from some tinkering with tempos, he does little to raise the excitement level. The only heat generated on the disc comes from guest stars Chris Potter (tenor) and Randy Sandke (trumpet) who join the studio big band on a half dozen tracks. It may be time for her producers to dig a little deeper and provide her with material that presents a greater challenge for both McCorkle and her many fans.

Track Listing

They Can't Take That Away from Me; Who Cares?; Someone to Watch Over Me; It Ain't Necessarily So; How Long Has This Been Going On?; I Got Rhythm (introduction); I Got Rhythm; Love Walked In; I Loves You Porgy; They All Laughed; Summertime; 'S Wonderful; I Was Doing All Right; I Got Plenty o' Nothin'; medley: Will You Remember Me, Drifting Along with the Tide (61:27).

Personnel

Susannah McCorkle, vocals; Allen Farnham, piano, synth; Chris Potter, tenor saxophone, alto flute; Howard Alden, guitar; Randy Sandke, trumpet, flugelhorn; Conrad Herwig, trombone; Jerry Dodgion, alto saxophone, alto flute; Rich DeRosa, drums; Steve Gilmore, Dick Sarpola, bass.

Album information

Title: Someone to Watch Over Me | Year Released: 1998 | Record Label: Concord Music Group

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