It is quickly obvious (after hearing a chorus or two of this fine CD) that
Sarah Partridge is a first-class jazz singer. It is not that she completely remakes the material, but she has lived the songs enough to make most of them sound as if they written for her.
Partridge (based in New York) has a strong voice, is able to scat effectively and, even when singing the words fairly straight, adds constant creativity to her recording debut. Perhaps the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood" and "Black Coffee" did not need to be revived but the singer's versions of such tunes as "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home," the always-delightful "About a Quarter to Nine" (first sung by
Al Jolson), "Something Cool" and "Street of Dreams" are memorable and fresh. In addition, she performs a fine sampling of obscurities including a new song ("Bourbon Rain") by Los Angeles pianist-arranger Dick Shrieve.
Partridge is accompanied by a few overlapping small groups that include pianist
Tony Monte, sometimes
Bucky Pizzarelli or
Gene Bertoncini on guitar and
Frank Wess on tenor and flute. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow