Thorson, a vocalist from Boston, has a pliant, flexible, pretty voice with a child's fascination for the world, and displays the ultimate scatability. It allows her to do most anything. On this, her debut CD, she demonstrates a witty way of interpreting standards, offers a few high art originals, and allows listeners to hear her bold conception of what a modern jazz singer in full bloom can be. There are so many high points -- the opening salvo of modified phrasing and scat on the stunning "Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea," the soulful title track and a clever cross-melodic, superimposed version of
Thelonious Monk's "I Mean You." The middle of the disc leans toward the romantic, as on pristine versions of "The Nearness of You," saxophonist
Cercie Miller's feature "Mood Indigo," and the duet with drummer
George Schuller on the heart-wrenching "But Not for Me." More chances are taken on the wordless version of the
Bill Evans' piece "Five," and the sprightly, stop-start, staggered, funky, quirky "Punta d'Blues." Accompanying pianist
Tim Ray (from
Orange Then Blue) emerges as one of the most important new piano voices, while saxophonist
Miller is a longtime collaborator with
Thorson, and it shows. These two,
Schuller and bassist
Dave Clark, are as supportive and swinging as any singer might need. This is a remarkable recording from
Thorson, even more so when you consider she's singing from a wheelchair (due to a severe spinal injury).
Thorson's courage goes beyond the attempt at jazz interpretation, which takes a unique individual in the first place. Many aspects of her artistry are clearly evident, set at a very lofty level. Everyone should love this -- it's one of the very best musical offerings of the year and an astonishing vocal document of the '90s.