Search - Meredith D'Ambrosio :: Little Jazz Bird

This jazz bird soars in an unusual way

Bomojaz | South Central PA, USA | 03/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
Meredith d'Ambrosio has a captivating voice - a deep alto with only a touch of huskiness to it. She is an intelligent singer and knows how to pick her material. On this album, her moods run toward the reflective, and many of the songs are searching. WHEN THE END COMES, is downright blunt in its open-eyed honesty; the composer of this tune, Deborah Henson-Conant, also contributed what for me is the highlight of the album: HOW IS YOUR WIFE. The tune itself is an ironic, heart-wrenching look at a marital affair, and as sung by d'Ambrosio it can almost knock the wind out of you. Dave Frishberg's OUR LOVE ROLLS ON gets a handsome interpretation. Manny Albam arranged and conducted; a string quartet is added on some tracks to good effect, and Phil Woods (on alto and clarinet) adds immeasurably to the proceedings. Definitely worth checking out."

A Little Jazz Find...

P. COOK | 06/11/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The title track of the album (Little Jazz Bird) is a very very obscure Gerswhin song. It really swings after a slow verse introduction and then you wonder how come it is so obscure. Other tracks are a mixture of ballads and medium up tempo. The string quartet is used tastefully and appears on a few tracks it adds to the overall depth of sound. Ocasionally, there is an alto or clarinet that gets in the way. This is a good introduction if you've never heard any Meredith before. (I wish she'd come to the UK more often!) The great thing about this album is that it is quiet and understated. It is not "in your face" jazz. It has lots of gently reflective songs but the humour shines through from time to time. Best tracks : title track, There's a Lull in my life, Cliches, Songbird."