Joel E. Siegel, JazzTimes- December 2000
...showcase the warmth and richness of Pearson's instrument, a lush, supple voice...an impressive, musically exacting first effort.
Product Description
A collection of duet ballads featuring Pearson's pairings with Fred Hersch, Harvie Swartz, Lynne Arriale, Steve Davis, David Lahm and John Hart
In the vocal jazz tradition, there are many voices but few who really have a deep impact. So when a singer offers something unique, it is unmistakable. You hear it right away. "You can't imagine how inundated a new label is by players and their projects," says Bob Karcy, CEO and founder of the Arkadia label. "But Mary stood out. It wasn't just her beautiful voice; there are many, many beautiful voices. But her voice is distinctive and instantly recognizable. You hear a few notes and say, 'That's Mary Pearson.'"
Pearson's singular approach to ballads is evident from the opening tune on You and I. From the first phrases of "Lazy Afternoon," Pearson's rich, creamy tone holds its own, even when moored only by Steve Davis' loose drums. Her commanding voice carries throughout the album with the kind of "luxuriant style and beauty of expression" that moved Jazz Times to suggest "Pearson's name should become a household word." As WBGO's Michael Bourne, host of the popular Singers Unlimited series, writes in his liner notes, "the whole album feels as if its one continuous (and beautiful) ballad . . . a seamless tapestry of romance."
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