Customer Reviews

Live at Jazz Standard

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

 

 

When I heard that Nancy King and Fred Hersch had recorded an album live, at the Jazz Standard in NYC, of piano-voice duets, I rushed out to get my copy. I expected something fantastic. But that can be a problem due to the fact that disappointment can come crashing down more easily when you have such expectations.

I am not disappointed in the least.

This c.d. confirms two major truths: First, with the passing of Ella Fitzgerald and Betty Carter, Nancy King is the finest living scat singer in the world. Like Ms. Carter, Ms. King sounds like an instrument truly searching for the "less obvious" note that nevertheless fits in the chord. Ms. King is also a great story teller. She didn't make me forget Shirley Horn or Mark Murphy, but at times she certainly reminded me of them here.

Second, Fred Hersch truly is one of the finest piano accompanists in the world. What amazes me about him is that he sounds quite different in accompanying Nancy King than he does in accompanying Janis Siegel, and in turn those recordings sound different than how he accompanies Renee Fleming. He basically knows what works for each singer.

Here, consistently throughout he lets Ms. King take the lead in the first chorus, then gradually gets more adventurous as she scats away. Then, when he solos, he plays even more "outside" than he does ordinarily with most singers--because that's how Ms. King sings. By the time he's done, we the audience have been in for quite a ride.

In the contest of most underrated jazz singer in the world (if there is one), Nancy King now is in the lead. Hopefully, someone soon will overtake her--but that will take some doing. Meanwhile, major kudos to Maxjazz: In the last few years, they have put out superlative vocal jazz recordings with Rene Marie, Dena DeRose, Erin Bode, and now this one. More, please. RC

Nancy King shows how a vocalist can sing with 'in the pocket' rhythm, deep emotion, and great scatting! She improvises with incredible skill; her phrasing always within the structure of the song and her harmonic ear is flawless. This duo with pianist, Fred Hersch, is like hearing two good friends having a close and meaningful conversation. Their individual styles compliment one another perfectly. It's such a joy to hear Nancy, now on a major label, and grammy-nominated at last! This is a live recording- no overdubbing- and, having personally heard her at several live concerts, I say without reservation that this is Nancy at her best- a true jazz vocalist.

As a singer and drummer who's had the blessing to study with Nancy and be a part of her life... recording her instructions for driving to a party across town while she was scatting to "Easy Living"... killer!...
I would only say that this lady is total music and her scatting ideas are always innovative and substantive.
She sings and scats with the authority of one who has been there from the beginning.
I hope you enjoy her.
I love her and I always will!
Thanks, Nance... for everything...

This is one of her better ones and they are all good. A real jazz person's jazz not just pop or standard singer. Her phrasing is wonderful and you can understand all of it. Love it~~

How to write a review of this particular CD, without appearing to be antipathetic? Ms.King's performance was, (and I am being kind) quite unlistenable.
I tried to complete the playing three times to give it a fair chance.
I have heard ill animals with greater control and musical quality. Standards clearly were murdered in this publicly recordered performance.
I however, did find a suitable use for this travesty of unmusical display.
I took it to the local target range where it provided a short use as a target.
Poor Fred Hersh. He is now linked to la King forever in this sad offering. Sometimes it is much better to retire than to stay too long at the ball. Ms.King dances on. Too bad.