Search - Jackie Allen :: Starry Night

Some Glorious Regional Music

Rick Cornell | Reno, Nv USA | 09/08/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jackie Allen and her band have self-released this c.d. It is a little more expensive as a result. Besides that surprise (given that their last released, "Tangled," was on Blue Note), this is a live recording of an October, 2008 benefit for the Muncie Symphony Orchestra, played with the M.S.O.



I love the fact that a nationally known artist such as Ms. Allen has done this. I encourage more such artists to get involved in projects such as this. Regional musical organizations need all of the help they can get!



But to the point of commercially recording the output?



Well, this c.d. sounds glorious, in fact. Most of the tunes are standards that have the night as their subject matter. The moon and stars are thematically prominent in this disc. And the orchestra is in balance with the singer, and everyone is always in tune. With arrangements by John Clayton, Bill Cunliffe, Mark Buselli, Matt Harris, Mike Kocour, Jody Nagle and Frank Proto, the whole project sounds impressive. In particular, the treatments here of "Star Eyes," "Lost in the Stars" (one of my all-time favorite songs, too seldomly covered) and "Star Dust" (not too seldomly covered!), are sensational.



So why only four stars? It's a very high four, but two reasons:



1) Jackie Allen has one of the most sensual, intimate voices of any jazz singer around. If you are familiar with her, think of how she sounded in "Do Wrong Shoes" from "Tangled," for example, or "Fools Rush In" from "Men In My Life," or "Turnin 'Round" from "Love Is Blue," and you know what I mean. In this setting, it's well nigh impossible to achieve that degree of intimacy. For as versatile a singer as she is, I think Ms. Allen shines most brightly with just her band backing her.



2) As I stated in my review of "Tangled," her band is one of the best working bands in the country. I am particularly impressed with John Moulder on guitar. But these arrangements are written with a very accomplished regional symphonic orchestra in mind. As a result, Moulder is given precious little room (other than "When in Rome")to display his chops. I believe the success of this group calls for more such room.



I'll be interested to hear how the sales of this disc go. To go from Blue Note to a more expensive self-release, featuring a regional symphonic orchestra, is an interesting career move. I wouldn't think that it'd be a particularly good move; but hey, this is the day of the internet. What do I know? RC"