Sylvia Bennett: Songs From the Heart
A secondary motif, the presence of what is billed as "The Three Tenors"tenor saxophonists Boots Randolph, Kirk Whalum and Ed Callefeels like a gimmick. None of these musicians are particularly well-regarded as having any connection with playing in support of jazz vocalists and their participation here seems somewhat superfluous.
Of the three, Randolph is the most traditional, with an obvious ability to 'play pretty for the people.' Long hailed as a honking saxophonist whose popularity during earlier decades surged with his Top 10 hit "Yakety Sax," Randolph recorded, in an unusual pairing, an album with altoist Richie Cole. Here, however, Randolph's style is closest to that of Coleman Hawkins' restrained and melodic sense and is best heard on Gershwin's "Embraceable You," Burke/Van Heusen's "Here's That Rainy Day" and the album closer from Herman Hupfield, "As Time Goes By." Randolph passed away in July, 2007 and never got to hear the finished album.
Kirk Whalum, one of the mainstays of smooth jazz, hails from Memphis and has a soulful presence on his many recordings. While he has experience with studio and film work, his métier has been solo albums in the Contemporary Jazz sub-genre or backing other artists in that field. There is certainly nothing inappropriate in his provision of tenor sax solos and fills on such tunes as Gershwin's "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and an up-tempo bounce on Gordon/Myrow's "You Make Me Feel So Young," but his delivery is less personable than that of Randolph.
The third tenor sax belongs to Ed Calle, long an exponent of the Miami music scene. He has vast experience working with a number of celebrities and first found popularity with the earlier recordings of Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine. Calle is given five featured tracks on the album and, although pleasant enough, lacks the jazz feel of Randolph on this date.
Songs From The Heart is a well-intentioned album, but one that relies too heavily on safety nets.
Track Listing
Embraceable You; They Can't Take That Away From Me; My Funny Valentine; Since I Fell For You; Someone to Watch Over Me; Ain't Misbehavin'; Here's That Rainy Day; I Still Love You; When Sunny Gets Blue; You Make Me Feel So Young; How Long Has This Been Going On; As Time Goes By.
Personnel
Sylvia Bennett: vocals; Brian Murphy: piano; Chuck Bergeron: bass; Frank Derrick: drums; Hal S.Batt: guitar; Sammy Figueroa: percussion; Boots Randolph: tenor sax (1, 4, 7, 12); Kirk Whalum: tenor sax (2, 4, 5, 10); Ed Calle: tenor sax (3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11).
Album information
Title: Songs From the Heart | Year Released: 2008 | Record Label: Out of Sight Music
Post a comment about this album
FOR THE LOVE OF JAZZ

WE NEED YOUR HELP
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.About Sylvia Bennett
Instrument: Voice / vocals
Article Coverage | Calendar | Albums | Photos | Similar Artists