Search - Blossom Dearie, Metropole Orchestra :: Dearie:The Lost Sessions [Blossom Dearie; Metropole Orchestra] [Fondamenta: FON-1804033]

New York, 28 September 1998: Blossom Dearie was rehearsing for a concert. Renaud Machart and I were the sole witnesses to the infinite care she took for every word and note of each song she had selected from the hundreds in her repertoire. Many were her own compositions, but she was always determined to sing her favourite authors, including Jobim, Dave Frishberg and Toots Thielemans. It was not yet noon and her voice, at each end of her range, still needed coaxing. Perfectly calm, always the true professional, she put things in place, her music as well as that of the accompanying musicians. After so many years of singing, her voice was intact, carrying perfectly, a wisp of a voice slightly tangy with more control than ever, one that brought meaning to each word. Among her many assets was the subtle way she had the music carry her syllables and conveyed the impression of being a singer of texts rather than the jazz musician she truly was. Dearie, a musician, pianist and, moreover, an exceptional accompanying pianist who could go virtually unnoticed so much did her voice shine through. She accompanied herself with a skill that paired perfectly with her vocal line. Her touch was one of utmost beauty; she had a great sense of swing and impressive harmonic language. Not a single note could be removed from her piano playing, and her singing suggested more than it expressed often romantic and tender, but sometimes subtle fractures, wit or deadpan humour came through.