Search - Lainie Cooke :: Here's To Life

Lainie Cooke toasts "Here's to Life"!

Phil McCarthy | West Covina, CA USA | 12/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"HERE'S TO LIFE LAINIE COOKE
HARLEMWOOD RECORDS HW 0101
PERSONNEL L.A. DICK SHREVE Piano
BOB MAIZE Bass
PAUL KREIBICH Drums
PETER WOODFORD GuitarPERSONNEL N.Y. TEDD FIRTH Piano
CAMERON BROWN Bass
MATT WILSON Drums
JOEY MORTANT Trumpet
DAVID LAHM PianoBeing a bi-coastal artist for many years it is appropriate that Lainie Cooke's first ever recording features players from New York and Los Angeles. Both sets of musicians support Lainie beautifully. Her interpretations of this tasty selection of tunes shows that not only is she concerned with lyrics but, more importantly, melodic and musical structure. From Cameron Brown's bass support on "The Nearness of You" to the CD title song "Here's to Life" it is evident that Lainie Cooke is in command of the lyrics and music. It is always a danger when doing familiar standards that what we hear are trite expressions. Not so here. Laine Cooke makes us hear these tunes newly. We also hear "Bourbon Rain", an original by Dick Shreve rarely recorded before, delivered as comfortably as any other standard. Lainie's magic is hearing new avenues of presentation and phrasing. It's like having Thanksgiving dinner at a friends. The dishes are all familiar but the recipes are different. This big talent in a small package presents her voice powerfully and with confidence. Her choice of musicians on both coasts proves her commitment to Jazz.Very jazzy arrangements!!It is surprising that this is Lainie's first recorded material. You would think that in 20 years someone in one of the studios she worked for as a `voice' over artist would have discovered her other vocal abilities. Our only hope is that we hear more from Lainie both on disc and in live performance which she has done both at "The Vic" in Santa Monica, CA and MOCA in the Big Apple. If you want to know what Jazz singing is all about catch Lainie Cooke whenever you can.The Jazz Connection 0100"