Days of Yesterday

構成数 : 1枚
合計収録時間 : 00:43:13
Personnel: Larry Koonse (guitar); Jo Ann Turovsky (harp); Eun Mee Ahn, Alyssa Park, Serena McKinney, Irina Voloshina, Songa Lee, Anatoly Rosinsky, Katia Popov, Aimee Kreston, Ana Landauer, Alan Grunfeld, Neil Samples, Helen Nightengale, Nina Evtuhov, Maia Jasper White, Ishani Bhoola, Amy Hershberger, Sara Parkins, Darrius Campo, Simeon Simeonov, Sid Page, Bruce Dukov, Julie Gigante, Armen Anassian, Marina Manukian, Josefina Vergara, Miwako Watanabe, Tereza Stanislav (violin); Keith Greene, Jennie Hansen, Roland Kato, Dave Walther , Alma Fernandez, Andrew Duckles, Robert Berg (viola); Paula Hochhalter, Christina Soule, Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick, Jodi Burnett, Kim Scholes , Andrew Shulman (cello); Salvadore Lozano, Dan Higgins , Greg Huckins, Jeff Driskell, Pete Christlieb (woodwinds); Rick Baptist, Wayne Bergeron, Daniel Fornero, Bob Summers (trumpet); Alex Isles, Andrew Martin , Craig Gosnell (trombone); Quinn Johnson (piano); Kevin Winard (drums); Alan Estes (percussion). Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood (06/2010-09/2010). Arranger: Matt Catingub. The Nagasaki-born vocalist who grew up in Japan dreaming of one day singing the Great American Songbook finally got her chance on her well-reviewed 2010 debut album, Hiromi in Love. On this mostly engaging follow-up, she works with some incredible all-star talent and a lush, dynamically swinging orchestra (arranged and conducted by Matt Catingub, who also snags some well-placed sax solos) to keep her dream going strong. While there are moments when her still apparent Japanese accent distracts from her otherwise strong phrasing and balanced sense of playfulness and emotional intimacy, there's no denying Kanda's loving caress of this material -- from the buoyant "I Love Paris" to the sly romance of "All of Me" and "Our Love Is Here to Stay." It's a bold move to complement nine legendary tunes with three originals (penned by Kanda with her husband, composer/producer Yusuke Hoguchi), hoping they fit right in, but it's a gamble that pays off. "Goodnight Yesterday," complemented by Joe Sample's lush, low-key piano, sets a soft, melancholy tone -- a vibe she also embraces on "Twilight Tears." Even better than those is the third original, the high-energy, sass-filled big-band-driven "Dreamer," which features a fun trio of backing female vocalists who function as romantic encouragers. Sample also adds poignancy to "Memories of You" and "Smile," while another guest, tenor man Pete Christlieb, shines on "It Had to Be You" and "All of Me." Kanda's dream is a noble one that lovers of standards should enjoy following. ~ Jonathan Widran
録音 : ステレオ (---)