Jazz / Contemporary Jazz; Vocal Jazz; Post-Bop
Recorded: May 15, 2000-May 19, 2000, Chicago Recording Company, Illinois
Patricia Barber - vocals, piano
Charlie Hunter - 8-string guitar (4,6,11)
Marc Johnson - double bass (1-3,7,8)
Michael Arnopol - double bass (5,9,10)
Adam Cruz - drums (4-6,9-11)
Adam Nussbaum - drums (1-3,7,8)
Chicago native and classically trained pianist Patricia Barber's sixth album is a collection of downtempo standards, perfect for a rainy day. Taking on classics like "Autumn Leaves," "I Fall in Love Too Easily," "Bye Bye Blackbird," or even "Alfie" is always a risk, but her confident vocals and interpretations eradicate any doubt that she is a master. Her production is spare, allowing her to sing with such melancholy it's almost eerie. Not many performers can relay such harrowing feeling without over-emoting, but Barber makes it seem effortless. Nightclub is an appropriate title; listening to these love songs is like being in a smoky room, courted by a lounge singer. This is a classy, solid effort.
---Bryan Buss, AMG
Includes liner notes by Chip Stern |
