By Ric Bang
Buy CD: Life of the Music
I reviewed Lauren Hooker’s debut album (Right Where I Belong) three years ago, and expressed the desire to hear more from her. She has released a new album, and it was worth the wait.
Hooker is more than a vocalist; she’s also a pianist, composer, lyricist and arranger, and all these talents are displayed nicely in this album. She composed and wrote lyrics for seven of these 11 tunes; she plays the piano on three and arranged all of them. As for her “singing,” she’s more than a vocalist; she’s an “instrumentalist.” She has a great jazz sound, a three-octave range and outstanding phrasing and timing.
Some reviewers have compared her (favorably) to other artists; I find that her combination of skills makes her unique.
As always is the case, truly great jazz vocalists know that the quality of the accompanying musicians can make or break them; the group supporting Hooker does an excellent job. The combo includes John Hart on guitar; Scott Robinson on everything (flute/saxes/trumpet/flugelhorn); Mike Richmond on cello and bass; and a standard piano/bass/drums rhythm section.
Hooker also does a beautiful job on covers of songs by others, notably “Love Me or Leave Me,” “Spring Is Here” and Joni Mitchell’s “Song to a Seagull.”
Hooker is a keeper; too bad she limits her work to the New York City area.
No comments:
Post a Comment