Review of It's A Good Thing by Grady Harp on Amazon

CD Review:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FBUDCY/
sr=8-1/qid=1155206497/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-5722193-
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Jamie Davis: It's a Good Thing



"It's a good thing" is a most appropriate title for this outstanding new release by jazz singer Jamie Davis as backed by the big band sound that too many of us thought was a just a sweet memory. Davis is a fine musician, blessed with a creamy, rich voice that soothes and spans the range of his elected songs with total ease. No stress here, just excellent singing.

Many already know of Davis' talents, but to this listener this CD serves as an introduction – and what a place to begin! Davis takes his well-known songs that range form Cole Porter through Stevie Wonder, Thelonious Monk, George Harrison and Consuelo Velasquez. Every song becomes his own, with tempi that are not the usual and that is what makes him so interesting. Yes, it takes arrangers to create music on this level, and some of the best in the industry are here.

The orchestral accompaniment is by the Count Basie type here conducted sensitively by Shelly Berg. Add some of the strongest instrumentalists around and the result is magic. A fine example of this is the inimitable sound achieved in Velasquez’ ‘Besame Mucho’: this is not the dance floor rhythm we all know but instead a love song as heartfelt as any you'll hear. If there is a tendency in these songs it is to take the upbeat songs and bring out the ballad in them. Then as soon as that is said, there are such fine exceptions as ‘My Funny Valentine’: as sung by Davis it is just devastatingly lovely.

For music lovers of all ilks, this album brings back the spirit and soul of music in a way not heard for a long time. Buy it. You'll love it.

- Grady Harp,
June 06