Search - Tierney Sutton :: Desire

SIZZLING, HAUNTING GRAMMY-NOMINATED PERFORMANCES BY THE TIER

RBSProds | Deep in the heart of Texas | 03/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Five MARVELOUS Stars!! A STELLAR Grammy-nominated musical look at desire and temptation. For a decade and an half, jazz diva Tierney Sutton's highly creative band has been one of jazz' longer-running small ensembles. Some of her CDs are thematic, such as the Bill Evans tribute Blue in Green and the sideways glance of On the Other Side of love ("Get Happy" as a dirge was both daring and effective). This highly enjoyable CD can also be looked at from the 'spiritual thematic point of view' decrying the seductive dangers of fame and fortune or even as homage' from one of today's certified young jazz divas to past singing stars like Peggy Lee (Fever), Carmen McRae (Skylark) and Julie London (Cry Me a River). Lady Day, Abbey, June, Betty, and Ella also come to mind. As usual, Ms Sutton is a cohesive member of her talented, somewhat instrumentally unusual quintet, as in the title of another CD called I'm with the Band. Versatile pianist Christian Jacob, drummer Ray Brinker (who is on fire) and 2 inventive bassists: Kevin Axt & Trey Henry who work well together on the bottom, round out the five spots. These 5 take some familiar standards into new fiery frameworks and multi-rhythmic setups, often shifting gears in flight out of serene starts to dizzying heights and back again (e.g. the smoldering "Love Me or Leave Me").



The 'best of the best' begins with a beautiful 7 minute exposition of "It's Only A Paper Moon" which starts with a spiritual poem over an urgent Ray Brinker beat. That effectively contrasts with Tierney's out of tempo rhapsodic vocalizing which then leads to a burning in-tempo Christian Jacob solo with Brinker pouring on the heat with his brushes. A sensational "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" again has the urgent beat and voice, as the song takes on a celestial meaning for the word "Daddy" as Brinker's accents and rimshots burn behind Tierney's and Jacob's sizzling highly-stylized solos. The two bassists also effectively use differing pizzicato roles on the bottom and in the arrangements. "Long Daddy Green" switches the "Daddy" word and performance to something more seductive. "Fever" escapes Julie London's spell as Tierney puts her stamp on it, bending, twisting, and chopping the notes. "It's All Right With Me" is a smoky experience. Even the insistent multi-tracked "Whatever Lola Wants" bends to Tierney's musical will, as does "Skylark". Tierney Sutton & Band prove it's all about the emphasis & crank up another BIG Winner. DON'T trust the song samples, they don't give a hint of the exhilarating flights that await beyond the intros. Stunning performances!! My Highest Recommendation. Five ENJOYABLE Stars. (This review is based on an iTunes Plus download.)"

A Masterpiece

Beth C. | San Diego, CA | 03/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Any album by the Tierney Sutton Band can be relied upon to be worthwhile, but the band has outdid itself with this amazing album. This work can be open to multiple interpretations, as it looks both at humanity's best and basest desires. The opening song, "It's Only a Paper Moon", when coupled with a spiritual reading from the Bahai faith and a slight change in lyrics, becomes almost meditative. The closing song, "Skylark", soars. In between, "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" loses any of the innocence that the original may have possessed. Tierney puts her own mark on the often interpreted songs like "It's All Right with Me", "Fever", and "Cry Me a River". The lesser known "Long Daddy Green" becomes a fascinating commentary on fortune and fate.



Of course, the Tierney Sutton Band has been working together about 15 years, and it shows - they are one of the tightest vocalist-lead groups around. Their contributions certainly add to the reinterpretations of these songs. Compare Christian Jacob's frenetic accompaniment in "Whatever Lola Wants" to the soaring chords of "Skylark".



This is a CD that will hold up to many listenings and it should be a contender for Jazz Vocalist of the Year."

A Subtle Yet Powerful Musical Statement

Thomas M. Croft | Fort Collins, CO USA | 03/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you're a Tierney Sutton fan, this album is not to be missed (I have everything she and her band have released thus far). Be prepared to listen, really listen, to this one, though. This is not "background music." Rather, this is subtle, elegant, creative and, at times, powerfully moving vocal jazz that only gets better with repeated listenings.



"Desire" comes across as a powerful, even spiritual, musical statement about the nature of human desire, both good and bad, which is just what Tierney and the band had in mind, according to the liner notes. Not one arrangement here is predictable or pedestrian, and the support from pianist Christian Jacob and the rest of the band is, as always, superb. What these musicians do with these tunes, some of them "shop-worn standards," is both remarkable and beautiful. Tierney has a way of conveying irony and other subtle shadings of meaning in her singing of the lyrics that is not often heard. In my opinion, Tierney is the best living female jazz singer. If you're new to her talents, check out the CD "Blue in Green" too. It's my personal favorite among many fine albums."