DOMINIQUE EADE
The Long Way Home (RCA Victor)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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If all Dominique Eade had to offer was a beautiful voice, this would still be an enjoyable album. It becomes both enjoyable and impressive as the full dimension of her talent as a singer, composer and arranger unfolds throughout the twelve tracks of The Long Way Home.

Eade, who is an instructor of voice, theory and improvisation at the New England Conservatory of Music when not recording and performing as a leader or with artists like George Russell, Ran Blake and Anthony Braxton, is truly, as Evan Spring notes in the liner text, "...not just a singer, but a musician who sings." The voice which is her chosen instrument is clear and seemingly infinitely textured. Her scats are natural extensions of the music, never forced or artificial.

Eade is accompanied by a quintet of fine players, who appear in various combinations. Pianist Bruce Barth is a standout figure, but Mick Goodrick (guitar), Dave Holland (bass), Victor Lewis (drums) and Cyro Baptista (percussion) each make a strong contribution to this distinctive album.

Track List: Come Down In Time * I'm Hans Christian Anderson * Velvet * Comrade/Anywhere I Wander * The Open Road * Baltimore Oriole * Two For The Road * All My Life * Have I Stayed Away Too Long? * Rounding The Bend * Let's Take The Long Way Home * Warm And Lovely Sunrise

(C) 1998 - Shaun Dale