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CARTER CALVERT It's a Man's World CD Baby

1. It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World

2. I’m In The Mood

3. Every Little Thing (He) Does Is Magic

4. I’m On Fire

5. Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing

6. Take Me To The Pilot

7. Hurt

8. Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

9. Can I Stay

10. Hallelujah, I Love (Him) So

11. Can You Be True

12. Love, Reign O’er Me

13. Let It Be

Carter Calvert, vocals

Joshua Bowlus, piano

Laurence Hobgood, piano

Daniel Dickinson, alto sax

Joel Frahm, tenor and soprano sax

Alphonso Horne, trumpet

Eric Miller, trombone

David Rosenthal, guitar

Damon Mack, B3 Hammond organ

Ben Williams, bass

Marco Panascia, bass

Ulysses Owens Jr., drums

Producer : Ulysses Owens, JR

Executive producer: Roger Cohen.

Recorded Feb. 10, 2015 at Trading 8S Music , Paramus NJ.

Recorded Feb. 12, 2015 at Bunker Studio, Brooklyn, NY.

Running time: 63 minutes, 51 seconds

Carter Calvert is a popular Broadway performer who has sung on radio and television, as well as performing for live audiences world-wide. Her latest album is a collection of covers of older pop and jazz tunes previously recorded by male vocalists. The band is a seasoned group of professional musicians led by Laurence Hobgood and Joshua Bowlus.

This album is an odd mix of tunes. The oldest songs in the set were first recorded in the 1950’s. I’m in the Mood was a blues hit single for John Lee Hooker in 1951, and Hallelujah I Love (Him) So was recorded by Ray Charles in 1956. The title track, James Brown’s famous

It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World, came out in 1966. From the Seventies, Elton John’s 1970 rocker Take Me to the Pilot and the Beatles ballad Let It Be, also 1970, were chosen. James Taylor recorded his Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight in 1972. Stevie Wonder’s hit Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing came out in 1973, and well as Peter Townshend’s Love, Reign O’er Me recorded by the Who. Two songs from the Eighties are on the list; Every Little Thing (He) Does Is Magic by Sting (1981), and I’m On Fire, written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen (1982).

Rounding out the list are Hurt, written by Trent Reznor and recorded by Nine Inch Nails (1994),

Can You Be True by Elvis Costello (2006), and Can I Stay, by singer/songwriter Ray Lamontagne (2006).

There are some very nice songs on this album. Carter Calvert shines on I’m In The Mood, It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World, and Hallelujah, I Love (Him) So and she demonstrates a great voice and range, style, and phrasing. Several of the ballads are also quite lovely, especially Can I Stay highlighted by the beautiful guitar work of David Rosenthal, and Hurt, with bass and piano accompaniment. There are also a few clunkers on this album. I’m On Fire doesn’t work as a ballad. It’s too slow at this tempo, and there’s no hint of fire in this arrangement. Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing doesn’t work either, it’s slow and monotonous and another uninteresting arrangement. Take Me To The Pilot is a little better, but the song itself should be left to Elton. Let It Be is another great ballad that sounds tired on this album and comes across as uninspired.

The overall sound quality is acceptable, but a better song selection and arrangements would have greatly improved this set. I’m looking forward to Calvert’s next effort.

Bruce McCollum

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