Artist: Barber, Patricia
Label: EMI Records
Release: 2008
Rating: 2.4/5
Cole Porter is a legendary American jazzman who wrote his name in capital letters across the history of jazz and is still considered one of the greats. Plenty of people have tried to play his music their own way. Some pulled it off better, some not so much. This time it’s Patricia Barber taking on the famous American jazz composer’s catalog, and on top of ten Porter covers she slipped three originals onto the album, which fit right in next to his songs thematically.
Like I said, every track on the album is a cover of the legendary Cole Porter, a jazz icon, except for three songs written by Patricia Barber. Patricia Barber and her backing band play them in a pretty restrained way. They mostly just follow the original and don’t give in to much improvisation, which, since we’re talking about jazz here, should really be there in bigger doses. A couple of times the musicians loosen up a bit, but even then it feels like they’re on a leash, as if they didn’t dare stray too far from the beaten path.
Even though the lack of improvisation and that raw jazz spirit is more than noticeable, the musicians do their job on the record just as they should. Besides having a lovely voice, Patricia Barber is also a fine pianist, and her band lays down strong backing for her vocals the whole way through. Chris Potter on sax adds a bit more spice, but sadly he only shows up on four songs.
The album has some pleasant jazz that will surely win over those who aren’t too adventurous and are after the safe shelter of some clichéd jazz warmth. Don’t get me wrong, the record is played brilliantly, but the whole time I’m listening I get the feeling it’d be perfect for some retirees’ dance, where everybody keeps gushing over the “nice” music. And there’s nothing wrong with that, but I’m just not quite ready for retirement yet.
The album isn’t in stores yet, as it officially comes out on September 27.
Lineup
Patricia Barber – vocals, piano
Chris Potter – tenor saxophone
Neal Alger – guitar
Michael Arnopol – bass
Eric Montzka – drums, percussion
Nate Smith – drums, percussion
Production
Patricia Barber
Tracklist
1. Easy to Love
2. I Wait for Late Afternoon and You
3. I Get a Kick Out of You
4. You’re the Top
5. Just One of Those Things
6. Snow
7. C’est Magnifique
8. Get out of Town
9. I Concentrate on You
10. In the Still of the Night
11. What Is This Thing Called Love?
12. Miss Otis Regrets
13. The New Year’s Eve Song
