Freddy Cole Talk To Me HighNote 2011
Instead of taking a victory lap of exclusive club and festival dates or perhaps cooling his heels in Las Vegas, Freddy Cole releases a follow up to the Grammy nominated "Freddy Cole Sings Mr. B" that may just bring home the Grammy some argue he should have received last year.
"Talk To Me" finds Cole opening up with a bit more blues allowing him to continue his reputation as the consummate "story teller" as opposed to traditional "jazz singer." The working band is the same from "Freddy Cole Sings Mr. B" but is joined by the great Harry Allen on tenor saxophone and trumpet force Terell Stafford. "Talk To Me" runs through some classics from Bill Withers, a standard or two not to mention the final tune penned by his son Lionel Cole. The tunes for this release are slightly outside the norm for Cole. A real key to this release would have to be the arrangements which allow all parties to make this release an intimate experience allowing Cole to take ownership of each tune as though it were his own which is the sign of a true artist!
There is an easy going swing, an attitude of style and elegance all while remaining warm and accessible. The arrangement of the Withers hit "Lovely Day" makes the tune sound like a Cole original. Terell Stafford brings it home on "Lovely Day" along with Allen on tenor giving an intimate swing for Cole's vocals to shine. The tunes here are some hand picked favorites for a multitude of reasons by Freddy Cole and it is the song selection as much as the impeccable arrangements that could easily have this release bringing the Grammy home this year.
Sophisticated in style and as comfortable as a favorite pair of jeans, Freddy Cole continues to please!
Freddy Cole - Vocals
Harry Allen - Tenor Saxophone
Terell Stafford - Trumpet; Flugelhorn
Randy Napoleon - Guitar
John Di Marino - Piano
Elias Bailey - Bass
Curtis Boyd - Drums
Enjoy this You Tube video from 2008.
Special Thanks To HighNote/Savant!
