The Lullaby Baxter Trio's eclectic, refreshing debut
Capable Egg fuses jazz, pop, and cabaret with
Baxter's smoky voice and creative lyrics. The contrast between her decidedly grown-up voice and sentiments like "you were always top-notch when it came to hopscotch" might seem too quirky and contrived to work, but
Baxter's delivery strikes the right balance between sincerity and wittiness. Her "trio" -- which includes Oranj Symphonette veterans like
Joe Gore,
Ralph Carney, and
Rob Burger along with
Steve Kirby, Pat Campbell, and Matt Brubeck, among others -- also manages to sound sensitive and whimsical at once, supporting
Baxter ably as she ranges from the sprightly album opener "Hopscotch" to the bluesy "Rooster in Love" to dreamy songs like "The Anyway Song" and "Mr. Powder-Blue Breadbox." An impressive first album,
Capable Egg's paradoxically jazzy, sophisticated fairy tales and fables are truly appealing and unique. ~ Heather Phares