For her second self-produced album, Boston-based Jennifer Trainor has selected an agenda of standards along with two of her catchy originals. Knowing a good thing when she hears it, she has asked exceptional pianist Doug Hammer to join her once more in the recording studio. His sensitivity to the singer's interpretive preferences helps make this a very good vocal jazz album. On "Darn That Dream," Hammer lays down a set of barely perceptible chords between the lines of the song, forming a velvety cushion upon which Trainor floats her ballad treatment of this tune. In addition to Hammer, Jon Wheatley's guitar offers a like amount of support, while taking Hammer's place as principal accompanist on "Crazy He Calls Me." The singer's delivery of this standard compares well with renditions by Billie Holiday and Jeri Southern. Trainor has moved forward in her vocal skills from her first album, which itself was quite good. She seems to be more at ease with her fellow musicians and, more importantly, her confidence in her ability to offer singular performances of familiar material has grown markedly. She slips in between Hammer's understated playing on "Mean to Me" and romps with Harvey Brower's traps on "How High the Moon." Horn player Greg Hopkins guests on a few tracks. His flügelhorn is especially melodic and, in keeping with the overall theme of the session, calm and unhurried on "I Get a Kick Out of You." The bass of David Landoni is the major backup on "Our Love Is Here to Stay." This second album is a pleasant set of ballads and medium and up-tempo tunes by a song stylist who delivers on all counts, backed by a set of agreeable, accomplished jazz musicians.
© Dave Nathan /TiVo