Search - Dan Barrett, Rebecca Kilgore :: Blue Swing

Swing, swing, swing

Dennis Fischette | Mountain View, CA USA | 05/30/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album could instead be titled "Easy Swing", not because it is "easy listening", but because the sound is so natural and effortless. The music is definitely traditional jazz, but is not stuck in any particular era. For example, Laura Nyro's "Wedding Bell Blues" from the 60's shares the stage with the standard "Can This be Love?". Oregon-based Rebecca Kilgore, longtime musical companion of Dave Frishberg and frequent guest on Prairie Home Companion, is IMHO one of the finest singers on the West Coast. Like the rest of the band, her style is one of effortless understatement. Think Doris Day with the phrasing of Ella. Her voice is not big and brassy, but her phrasing and pitch are near-perfect.Costa Mesa-based Dan Barrett (trombonist, leader, and arranger) plays in the same vein as Kilgore. His playing is tight and tasteful. Beautiful tone and just the right number of notes. He's got great chops, but doesn't show off and can really swing. Whom does he sound like? Maybe a little like Jack Teagarden."