Female jazz singers are a dime a dozen. The special singers that move from vocalist to artist are rare. Jaclyn Guillou and her 2011 release To The City move to the more than memorable pile of discs on my desk all most immediately. Guillou is a wonderful singer/song writer from Vancouver British Columbia that is the vocal triple threat. More than ample chops, a great lyricist and the ability to combine these qualities into an authentic and sincere sense of artistry should place Guillou on the top of singers that deserve a second look if not that elusive if not forgotten major label deal.
Jaclyn Guillou is far more than the "pretty girl" doing her own riff on a set of jazz standards that have seen better days. There is an eclectic and somewhat quirky nature to the arrangements and Guillou's vocal phrasing is incredibly infectious. To The City is a fresh sound yet steeped in tradition where the music is not taking a back seat to Guillou's vocals, it is the perfect compliment to her vocals.
A somewhat personal recording, semi-autobiographical in nature allows Guillou to connect to her material especially "Sunny Sunday" which is a playful number setting the mood for an organic swing that seems to permeate this release. "Little Red Shoes" is the vocal version of the little black dress, a sexy little number that every female vocalist should have in her arsenal. Guillou and the band shine as they push the swing on "All or Nothing at All" and breathe new life into a timeless classic. The smoldering blues infused "Honey Blues" may showcase Guillou's style and phrasing as well as any tune on this release, problem being there are no bad tunes here. Musical frames of reference are sometimes dangerous and often unfair but the influences of a lyrical and vocal titan such as Lorraine Feather are hard to ignore.
A first call band along with some special guests round out To The City with just the right amount of texture. Guillou puts a slightly more organic contemporary jazz spin on music steeped in tradition and thus makes old school become new cool, the sign of a true artist. A musical gem to share with friends, in lieu of not having friends then tell a stranger and I promise you will be buddies for life!
5 stars!
Tracks: Sunny Sunday; To The City; Little Red Shoes; Hiding Town; California; All or Nothing at All; That's All ( featuring Denzal Sinclaire) ; Sweethearts In Love; Attends; Honey Blues; O Pato ( The Duck ); No Moon At All; Bonus Track; You Are.
Personnel: Rany Porter: piano; Tom Beckham: vibraphone; Michael Rush: bass; Joe Poole: drums.
With: Bruno Hubert: piano; Evan Arntzen: tenor sax, clarinet; Chris Davis: trumpet; Rod Murray: trombone; Raphael Geronimo: percussion.
Video One - That's All
Video Two - California
Video Three - Little Red Shoes
Videos via You Tube
