Search - Dianne Reeves :: The Calling

Sassy Would Be Proud

michael johnson | Jacksonville, Florida | 07/13/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't possibly imagine why anyone would want to perform a rendition of classics and fail to make them their own. For that reason alone Dianne Reeves is to be applauded for her tribute to "The Devine One. There was only Sarah Vaughn and there is only one Dianne Reeves. I thank God that they both shared their considerable gifts with us. That said.....I was taken to a new demension by the life Dianne breathed into this collection of songs associated with Sassy. The arrangements were great and Miss Reeves was in very fine voice. I'm sure Sassy Sarah would be proud.....I know I am."

"If You Could See Me Now...You'd Find Me Being Brave...And T

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 06/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Calling is a celebration of The Divine One, as she was called by Dianne Reeves, a younger singer who shares many of Vaughan's gifts: a gleaming, pitch-perfect voice, a multi-octave range, and a harmonic sense that takes her on some remarkable flights of fancy. Like Vaughan, Dianne has a fondness for crossing musical borders as if they didn't exist." ~ James Gavin ~



I share James Gavin's sentiments written on Liner Notes about Dianne Reeves, whose artistry I first appreciated upon hearing some of her most remarkable recordings such as "Better Days," "Bridges" and "A Little Moonlight." Diane Reeves gives a beautiful and sincere tribute to a legendary jazz singer with the most recognizable voice, Sarah Vaughan. A chanteuse-extraordinaire herself, she performs with a full orchestra filled with L.A.'s top studio players with the sublime chart arrangements of Robert Freedman and a Grammy-award winner, Billy Childs, who arranged most part of this album and who also plays piano on some tracks. Incidentally, Billy Childs whom I added lately to my list of all-time favorite brilliant arrangers/conductors in the league with Nelson Riddle, Johnny Mandel and Billy May, among others, has also worked with Chris Botti, Diana Krall and Gladys Knight. His works in this CD are all masterpieces of beauty and style. This tribute CD, "The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan" is one of the best CDs ever produced in the history of jazz music.



Allow yourselves to be swept away by the enchantment of two of my top favorite tracks here, "Speak Low" and "Embraceable You." Ms. Reeves made these timeless gems her own by flawlessly interpreting them in a mesmerizing fashion with her satiny and bluesy voice. "Speak Low" is incredibly beautiful with its Bossa Nova inspired arrangement! I couldn't believe my ears were listening to the most beguiling version I've ever heard of this classic from Kurt Weill and Ogden Nash. It is definitely my favorite rendition of all-time! It features Mulgrew Miller on piano, a fine Brazilian guitarist, Romero Lubambo on acoustic guitar and Munyongo Jackson on percussion. A classic of a gem from George and Ira Gershswin "Embraceable You" is also an ear-candy track where you could hear the creative talent of one of the finest guitarists in the jazz scene today, Russell Malone.



Ms. Reeves dazzles as she sings George Shearing's masterpiece, "Lullaby of Birdland" showcasing her knack for scatting. Ditto with a passionate and charming performance on Stephen Sondheim's "Send In The Clown," and an upbeat and zesty gem from the Gershwin Brothers, "Fascinating Rhythm." And not to mention an anchingly beautiful song which is rarely-recorded but Ms. Reeves made it so special by her emotional rendition, "If You Could See Me Now," a torch song by Tadd Dameron and Carl Sigman, who was also known for his enduring hit songs "Ebb Tide," "Answer Me," "Arrivederci Roma" and "It's All In The Game." (The song is dedicated to my ex-hubby--the special man I married and gave my pure heart and devoted soul to).



"If you could see me now, you'd know how blue I've been

One look is all you'd need to see the mood I'm in

Perhaps then you'd realize I'm still in love with you



If you could see me now, you'd find me being brave

And trying awfully hard to make my tears behave

But that's quite impossible, I'm still in love with you



You'll happen my way on some mem'rable day

And the month will be May for a while

I'll try to smile, but can I play the part

Without my heart behind the smile



The way I feel for you, I never could disguise

The look of love is written in my eyes

I think you'd be mine again if you could see me now"



Ms. Reeves shows off her songwriting talent in "I Remember Sarah," which she co-wrote with Billy Childs. It has been said that she just sat on the piano with Mr. Childs and made up the lyrics spontaneously.



According to Dianne Reeves: "Making this CD is a fulfillment of a dream born when I first heard Sarah Vaughan as a teenager. The dream continued to grow as I marveled at her magical touch with lyrics, melodies, harmonies and timbre."



She may not be another Sarah Vaughan for I believe that Sarah was Sarah, and Dianne is Dianne, but Ms. Reeves did an excellent job with this tribute to her musical hero. Both have the most alluring voices and exceptional singing styles of their own.



This award-winning CD for the "Best Jazz Vocal Album" at the 2001 Annual Grammy Awards deserves more than five stars and it is a gorgeous addition to your collection. A must-have for jazz lovers.



* * * * * TEN STARS * * * * *

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