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ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY
To Ella With Love/Easy Living
(Sin-Drome/After 9)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale
Songbird Ann Hampton Callaway's newest recording, Easy Living, is accompanied by the re-release of her 1996 tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. Given the exceptional merit of each collection, this could create a problem for consumers trying to make a choice. Choose both.
To Ella With Love finds Callaway, who made her name as a cabaret singer in spots like Manhattan's Algonquin Hotel and as the composer/performer of the theme from TV's The Nanny, paying homage to one of the greatest performers in the history of vocal jazz. While Callaway doesn't hesitate to dive into the heart of the Fitzgerald songbook, taking on such signature tunes as "Body And Soul" and "Lady Be Good,"
she avoids the obvious traps of imitation, adapting the material to her own passionate interpretations and considerable range. There are hints of Ella in some of the phrasing, which is almost inevitable, but these versions stand on their own. This would be a great album if Ella Fitzgerald had never heard this material. Callaway is accompanied by f 15 piece big band, a string section and an A-List rhythm section that features Cyrus Chestnut (piano), Christian McBride (bass) and Lewis Nash (drums). Wynton Marsalis sits in and offers fine solos on "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" and "How High The Moon."
Nash and Marsalis also make appearances on Easy Living, joining a dozen players, with notable contributions from pianists Kenny Barron and Benny Green, tenor saxophonist Andy Farber and, well, and everyone on the album. The various players mix and match into trios and quartets, depending on the demands of the material. The focus is on standards, with one Callaway original, "Come Take My Hand." Callaway and co. recorded this one live in the studio. Few artists, especially vocalists, will chance recording in real time these days, but the payoff here is a level of intimacy between performers, material and audience that couldn't be accomplished in any other way.
Ann Hampton Callaway has served a long apprenticeship in pop, and has earned her place in jazz. She deserves to be a major force in both fields for a long time to come.
Track Lists:
To Ella With Love: Let's Fall In Love * Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me * A Fine Romance * Embraceable You * How High The Moon * But Not For Me * I'm Beginning To See The Light * Body And Soul * That Old Black Magic * Little Girl Blue * Lullaby Of Birdland * Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye * I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) * Oh, Lady Be Good
Easy Living: Easy To Love * 'Round Midnight * Come Take My Hand * Easy Living * All Of You * Bluesette * It Had To Be You * In A Sentimental Mood * You Don't Know What Love Is * Come Rain Or Come Shine * Skylark * Nice Work If You Can Get It * The Very Thought Of You
© 1999 - Shaun Dale