Description:
In keeping with the impromptu nature of the recording, Gambarini's performance throughout is casual and moderated, but also precise and nuanced, in a way that only an expert singer and a perceptive pianist can accomplish. The two obviously enjoy each other's playing—Gambarini laughs softly and delightedly at times and at others Jones murmurs imperceptibly to Gambarini over his solos. Their dialogue is one between co creators; no one leads and no one follows. The tracks explore various melodic permutations of some of the pair's favorite standards by the likes of Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, Billy Strayhorn, Irving Berlin and EY Harburg—the intent, it seems, being to extract as much beauty from the line as possible. Gambarini displays an aptitude for bebop scatting unusual in singers of her generation, especially on "When The Lights Are Low" and "Just Squeeze Me," during which she and Jones swap brief and inspired musical anecdotes. |