With this album,
Laila Dalseth celebrates the 20th anniversary of her first solo album. Along with another outstanding Norwegian jazz singer, Karen Krog,
Dalseth has dominated jazz singing in that land of the Northern Hemisphere. Very cold weather, but very warm jazz. This album is basically a two-part offering. In the first part, with her sextet,
Dalseth applies her considerable vocal talents by breathing some fresh life into such standards as "I've Got a Crush on You" and
Ray Noble's bittersweet "The Very Thought of You." And there's a hymnal-like rendition of "Tea for Two." The second half of the program, from "Fine and Mellow" through "He Was Too Good to Me," is a tribute to
Billie Holiday, to whom
Dalseth is obviously indebted. Strings are added to the sextet to enhance melodic content. But this is not just another rehash of tunes Holiday made famous.
Dalseth is far too savvy a trouper for that.
Dalseth has assimilated much of
Billie Holiday's essence and feeling and combined it with her own considerable talent. The resulting fusion makes for fine listening. Musical support on this album is top-drawer throughout. One-time wunderkind
Philip Catherine is here with his
Django Reinhardt-influenced guitar.
Dalseth's husband
Totti Bergh's
Zoot Sims-influenced tenor is especially effective.
Egil Kapstad's piano has appeared with
Dalseth on another occasion. This 20th anniversary album not only celebrates
Dalseth's longevity as a jazz singer, but her vocal talent as well. ~ Dave Nathan