On her debut recording, singer
Teraesa Vinson takes a fresh look at time-tested standards while adding a twist or two for good measure. Her smooth sound makes her singing seem effortless at times. She's laid-back but swinging throughout the opener, "What a Difference a Day Made," propelled by her walking rhythm section. Pianist
Carlton Holmes shines as
Vinson's driving Latin-tinged approach to "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes."
Artie Shaw's "Moon Ray," a great song not nearly performed often enough, kicks off with
Vinson's spacious duet with bassist
Nicki Parrott. The bittersweet ballad "I Can't Make You Love Me," forever associated with
Bonnie Raitt's widely known recording, is turned by Venison into a powerful jazz vehicle, with
Ron Blake's emotional tenor sax and
Dion Parson's solid drumming, while
Tom Dempsey's spacious guitar retains a bit of country flavor. "While We're Young" has long been one of
Alec Wilder's most beloved compositions and
Vinson soars in her joyful interpretation. She romps through
Jerome Kern's "The Song Is You" and revives the overlooked gem "Young and Foolish" with a tender performance. She makes the most of singer
Sheila Jordan's arrangement of "The Way You Look Tonight," a superb duet with
Dempsey.
Oscar Brown, Jr.'s "Opportunity Please Knock," a commentary on the civil rights struggle of the 1960s, opens with a gospel flavor, before switching gears into a soul-jazz strut. This is a delightful introduction to
Teraesa Vinson, a promising jazz singer. ~ Ken Dryden