Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Barb Jungr: The Men I Love: The New American Songbook

Barb Jungr: The Men I Love: The New American Songbook

By C. Michael Bailey
March 9, 2010
Sign in to view read count

Barb Jungr: The Men I Love: The New American Songbook

A British Edith Piaf is a dead-on description of Barb Jungr. She is more a song stylist than a jazz vocalist but on The Men I Love she mines a new vein of music in the Great American Songbook for alternative interpretation. All the songs, whether originally up-tempo or ballads, are easily spread into a contemporary song cycle of the second half of the 20th century. The tone and mood are accomplished by the spare instrumentation Jungr employs with Frank Schaefer's sleek cello providing the flowing continuo that unites the collection.

Disparate genres such as the Talking Heads' "Once in a Lifetime," Neil Diamond/The Monkees' "I'm a Believer," and Bruce Springsteen's "The River" populate this recital. Most are taken at a languid ballad pace, with the exception of a spritely and energetic "You Ain't Going Nowhere." Jungr treats the Dylan song like a 19th-century American classic, accurately casting Bob Dylan in the role of a modern Stephen Foster. Paul Simon's "My Little Town" is sung as a quiet ballad thoughtfully and beautifully rendered.

Jungr is no stranger to the cabaret scene, having won the 2008 Nightlife Award in New York. Her craft is the recasting of popular song, revealing pleasures previously hidden by the lesser interpretations of these numbers. Her arrangements, tasks shared with pianist Russell Procope, are all evenly fine. The closing "Wichita Lineman," with Wallace's raindrop accompaniment, perfectly demonstrates the completeness of Jungr's fine craft.

Track Listing

Once in a Lifetime; I'm a Believer; Breaking Down the Walls of Heartache; Night Comes On; Can't Get Used to Losing You / Red Red Wine; The River; I Saw the Light; This Old Heart of Mine / Love Hurts; Everything I Own; You Ain't Going Nowhere; My Little Town; Wichita Lineman.

Personnel

Barb Jungr

vocals

Barb Jungr: vocals; Simon Wallace: piano, Hammond organ, keyboards; Steve Watts: double bass; Frank Schaefer: cello; Clive Bell: flute, shakuhachi; Paul Clarvis: percussion.

Album information

Title: The Men I Love: The New American Songbook | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Naim Label

< Previous
The Internet For Jazz Musicians

Next >
Into The Light

Comments

About Barb Jungr

Instrument: Vocals

Tags

For the Love of Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can 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.