Sheena Davis – vocals
Robert Rickenberg – bass
Pete Cater – drums
Steve Holness – piano
Jim Mullen – guitar (2,6,11)
Guy Barker – trumpet (3,5,8)
I enjoyed the last Sheena Davis Group album so
much, that I was really looking forward to this new one, which
was recorded in January of this year. As well as the immaculate
backing trio, we also have the benefit of star guests Jim Mullen
and Guy Barker as an added bonus. Sheena is of course a real jazz
singer, as opposed to a singer of out of date pop songs, there
is a great deal of difference.
On this new album she swings all the way, with
excellent diction and good intonation, now they are the qualities
of a real jazz singer. The trio are just perfect, Steve Holness
solos and ‘comps’ magnificently, Bob Rickenberg plays a solid
bass line and Pete Cater ‘ticks’ away, in the way we usually only
hear from American drummers.
The arrangements by Sheena and Robert are just
right to bring the best out of each tune, including their original
compositions (3,4,11). The sleeve note suggests listening to this
music whilst relaxing, I’ll buy that, but it also suits me whilst
driving, working, getting up, going to sleep etc., its just my
kind of music, good tunes immaculately performed!
Young at Heart, the title track is taken slowly
with sparse accompaniment, just the thing to enable us to appreciate
the quality of Sheena’s vocal talent. I also has a very fine piano
solo from Steve Holness, which exactly fits the mood.
Labi Siffre’s It Must Be Love, makes a better
jazz vehicle than I would have expected, this track benefits from
a good arrangement and the addition of some fine guitar work from
the always consistent Jim Mullen. Seasonal Memories is a Davis/Rickenberg
original as is Got A feeling, the former has a Latin feel whilst
the latter is a swinger, both are good tunes that suit Sheena’s
voice and the group as a whole. I Cried for You is taken as an
up tempo swinger, Guy Barker solos with his usual exuberance and
there is a nice drum solo from Pete Cater, Sheena’s interpretation
of the song is perfection. Sentimental Journey has nice chords
from Jim Mullen behind the vocal and swings easily throughout.
Sway is to my mind better suited to male singers,
but don’t ask me why! Only You has a nice intro from Guy Barker
and Sheena again gives a fine interpretation of the song, On the
Roof demonstrates the groups ability to make the ordinary extraordinary.
When I Grow Too Old is taken at a fast tempo at which everyone
sounds comfortable. But Hey, That’s Love is another interesting
original song, well sung and again the arrangement is ideal for
both singer and song. When You Wish Upon a Star gets tender treatment,
and a similar performance to the title track, it is the kind of
tune that finds the inadequate performer out, no problems of that
sort here!
This is a very fine CD, which I recommend without
hesitation.
Don Mather
CD Reviews
JAZZIZIT
JITCD 0331
