12/23/2023 0 Comments Joyspring musicFour years ago, together with my partner and buddy Ron Gang, I formed Vocalocity, a 40-voice rock choir/power vocal ensemble. The Real Group inspired the entire genre of Modern A Cappella, of which I’m a proud devotee. You might enjoy the rather charming and unpretentious TV biopic, “ Cilla”. Like many non-Brits, I was surprised to learn that Cilla became a major media ikon in the UK, hosting her own TV variety shows and whatnot. They gave her ‘ Love of the Loved’, ‘ It’s For You’, and ‘ Step Inside Love’. And here’s the two of them reflecting back on that recording session years later.Ĭilla Black (nee Cilla White) was born in Liverpool (1943), a pal of The Beatles, managed by Brian Epstein. There’s a great clip of that session, mucho recommended. Coincidentally, this song also had its own dedicated SoTW 220. While we’re on the subject of chanteuses shouting, I happened to hear the original version of Burt Bacharach/Hal David’s ‘Alfie’, by Cilla Black, orchestrated and conducted by Burt himself. It doesn’t have a single electron of the sincerity of the original, from Randy’s masterpiece first album, which had its own posting in SoTW 85. It’s just Streisand with Randy accompanying her on piano. She should just be Barbra.īut I did trip over this little gem-Randy Newman’s stunning ‘ I Think It’s Going to Rain Today’, recorded for the “Stoney End” album (1971), released only in 2012 on her “Release Me” CD. It’s not embarrassing, just a waste of vinyl. I wrote a posting a long time ago ( SoTW 20) about why I admired Barbra Streisand until she became famous at the age of 22, and never since. I’ve listened to BS’s version of ‘Stoney End’ a couple more times, trying to figure out why that was a hit instead of Laura’s original, but to no avail. #9 Barbra Streisand, ‘I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today’ But for a month now, I just can’t get enough of this thrilling, chilling treatment of a superb song I had previously not appreciated sufficiently. I’ve been binge-ing on her bootlegs, and you’ll probably be hearing more about this inspiring music. Yes, we dedicated SoTW 270 to this very cut, and SoTW 271 to a wider sampling of bootleg covers by Laura. While it might generate some airplay in the Los Angeles area where Duquesnel is based, it does not have the magic for broader recognition.#10 Laura Nyro, ‘Stoney End’ (Seattle bootleg, 1971) If the objective, at the outset of this project, was to create a breakthrough disc, this has not been accomplished. While at times during her solos she seems to lose her way, this is really where her strength lies and it might be interesting to see how she would fare in a piano trio setting. There are four instrumental cuts presented with a well-executed bossa Latin-flavoured rendition of On Green Dolphin Street, an OK version of Mack The Knife, and then two Ellington/Strayhorn classics - Satin Doll and Take The "A" Train - which really showcase Duquesnel's piano talent and arranging capabilities. The challenge, as always when doing covers of iconic tunes, is that the original (in this case by Frank Sinatra) always comes off the much superior product and this case is no different. Peggy does shine on a couple of standards, especially on the Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer tune Days Of Wine And Roses where she transforms the usual ballad into a real swinger, and the Bart Howard classic Fly Me To The Moon which is also offered with a slow-tempo opening vocal and then segues into a strong instrumental take-off. Otherwise the tunes are very conventional without any particularly memorable lyrics. Of her four compositions - Summertime Lullaby, In The Quiet Hours, Promised Land and Drivin' Blues - only the last offers anything that attracts the listener, as it has a rocking beat supported by Edo Guidotti on the Hammond B3. While this is a pleasant album and Peggy has a light but lyrical voice and it is easy to discern her classical piano training, there is nothing riveting on the disc which says "play me". With the release of her latest album entitled Summertime Lullaby, Duquesnel attempts to distinguish herself from the rest of the pack with a collection of jazz standards and love songs, including some of her own compositions that might have both jazz and pop crossover appeal. The most accomplished musician to gain any widespread public recognition. Of the oxygen in this space, it is exceedingly difficult even for Likes of Diana Krall, Norah Jones and Carol Welsman taking up most Piano-playing singers that dot the jazz music scene today. Peggy Duquesnel (pronounced do-shay-nel) is one of numerous female Grant Greissman - Guitar (tracks 2-5, 8, 9)
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