Customer Reviews

Here In The Moment

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I disagree with the previous reviewer, Nature Boy was a fine arrangement and the piano was stunning. This was my first exposure to Gail Pettis. I heard Nature Boy on XM/Sirius Jazz station 70 and, as a keyboard player, I was especially taken by the piano arrangement, but Gail's voice is mature and soulful and I will now purchase the CD. I'm am happy to have discovered this fine singer and her fine backup band.

If you are among the many people who liked Gail Pettis' first album, "May I Come In?" - and I was in that crowd - you will like "Here in the Moment." On the other hand, if you have not heard Ms Pettis before, "Here in the Moment" is an excellent introduction to one of today's best main stream jazz singers.

Ms Pettis has a warm, resonate, contralto voice and a straight ahead, no frills, relaxed and swinging style. She never engages in the vocal bombbast so popular with many singers today - she stays entirely within herself and can take you right to a song's emotional edge.

Like her first album, "Here in the Moment" is a set of standards, including: "In the Still of the Night," "The Very Thought of You," "Night and Day" and "I Could Have Danced All Night." My only complaint is "Nature Boy," which is on my list of the two songs I would most like to never hear again, (the other being "Dindi"). Not even Ms Pettis can make me like this drivel - but if I could be persuaded, it would be her version that would do it.

Ms Pettis is backed by the same musicians that supported her on "May I Come In?" Depending on the song, either Darin Clendenin or Randy Halberstadt are at the piano, Clipper Anderson or Jeff Johnson are on bass and drummer Mark Ivester holds everybody together.

Putting aside "Nature Boy," my only real complaint is with the sonics. On "May I Come In?" Ms Pettis is recorded front and center. However, on "Here in the Moment," she seems to be at the back of the sound stage. At least on my system, there seems to be some distance between Ms Pettis and the listener - so "Here in the Moment" doesn't have quite the same sonic "pop" as "May I Come In?" But it's still a well recorded album and a pleasurable listening experience.

I heard this lady on the local jazz/npr station, and went ahead and bought both the cd's that are out. I do not regret this, I find Ms. Pettis to be quite enjoyable. She has a more sultry style without trying to hard to venture outside of her range. Artists who do that usually fail, in my opinion. If she releases more cd's, I will certainly buy them.

Here is another gem from a little-known artist.

Gail Pettis evidently was an orthodontist, made her money, then at age 60 or thereabouts decided to become a jazz singer. If that story is true, I'm jealous. Following your passion is a good thing; having the economic freedom to follow your passion is an even better thing.

From the sound of this c.d., we can only wish she had done this sooner. Gail Pettis attacks the Great American Songbook with a self-confident brio. She has a self-assuredness that reminds me of Perry Como. Not only does she never strain, she sounds like she never would have to.

The challenge with doing a set of standards is to find something unique with each one, so that the song becomes something new and fresh. By and large, Ms. Pettis succeeds in that regard. I love the samba treatment of "I Could Have Danced All Night," the 5/4 treatment of "Who Can I Turn To?", the barrelhouse bluesy treatment of "The More I See You," and the rockin-out "Nature Boy." And I love the last cut and for me the highlight of the set, the finger-snapping "Snap Your Fingers" with bassist Clipper Anderson.

The c.d. doesn't have a terribly spontaneous feel about it, but it is very professionally done. 4 and 1/2 stars, rounded up for that reason. RC

Item was shipped in a timely fashion. Item arrived as described. No problems. Would buy from seller again.