Mary Foster Conklin: These Precious Days

Mary Foster Conklin is a New York-based singer with an eclectic approach to the choices she makes in deciding upon a repetoire for her fifth release, These Precious Days. Unafraid to step outside the nine dots, she has focussed the project on lesser-known jazz and popular compositions by predominately female songwriters. Joining Conklin are a number of top shelf New York musicians including pianist and arranger John di Martino, violinist Sara Caswell, bassist Ed Howard, drummer Vince Cherico, guitarist Guilherme Monteiro and percussionist Samuel Torres.

The session opens with "Summertime." This is not the George Gershwin classic, but rather has lyrics that are unmistakably from the pen of the Canadian poet and iconic songwriter Leonard Cohen. Conklin delivers them with panache and resonance. "Just A Little Lovin'" by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil trips along in singular fashion with Conklin covering the importance of the simple things in life message with an earthy charm. Di Martino and Caswell offer well thought out interjections.

For an interesting change of pace, the Dory and André Previn number "Just For Now" is set to a samba beat led by guitarist Guilherme Monteiro and percussionist Samuel Torres, who keep the fire stoked. Conklin covers the number with brisk proficiency and tasteful restraint. The sardonic and hip songwriter /pianist Dave Frishberg hooked up with pianist Alan Broadbent to pen "Heart's Desire." Conklin inhabits this story of love and longing without rigidity or stifling nostalgia.

The final two cuts are more recognizable compositions. The first is Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Until It's Time For You To Go" and then the Kurt Weill/Maxwell Anderson popular standard "September Song." Conklin delivers the first with a strong lyrical footing and evocative coloration. On the second, sympathetically supported by Di Martino and Caswell, she reaches out on an emotional level to deliver a rendition filled with unhurried revelation.