Quintessence
is the "pure and concentrated essence of a substance" and the title of a beautiful album from vocalist
Betty Buckley
and longtime producer/musical arranger/pianist
Kenny Werner
, who is co-credited on the cover. Not actually a "compilation," the liner notes by
Betty Lynn Buckley
explain that this studio disc, the musical duo's ninth album over a span of two decades, represents more of an open arrangement to rework the music the singer is associated with. For example, she extends
Arthur Alexander
's classic
"Cry Me a River"
from the sparse -- and shorter -- 3:09 version on 1997's
Much More
album to a more elaborate and experimental vamp that is double in length. Where
Jane Olivor
is overpowering in her sublime grandiosity,
Buckley
takes the subtle approach, though with a dash of
Olivor
's inflections. For those not in touch with
's recordings, this will serve as a good starting point, the rendition of
Stephen Sondheim
's
"No One Is Alone"
adding a bit more pop to the tune's jazz leanings, and also contrasting with
's own cautious rendition from 1993's
Children Will Listen
CD. Some purists may object to the treatment of the
Rex Harrison
nugget
"I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face,"
not spoken a la
Harrison
, and further morphed by being combined in a medley with
Oscar Levant
"Blame It on My Youth."
Where
Janice Borla
on
From Every Angle
gives a breathy rendition to the
Levant
classic,
Werner
and
make it introspective and daintily methodical.
Hoagy Carmichael
"Stardust"
is absorbed by
's persona, material so well-loved that reinterpretation, though imperative, comes with risks. The singer lets the listener judge if those risks are rewarded.
Brenda Russell
"Get Here"
is truly sentimental, and one of the most moving pieces of these dozen new musical essays from
Betty Lynn
and her longtime musician friends. Composers from
Sergio Mendes
to
Leonard Bernstein
are embraced, the
West Side Story
show tune
"Something's Coming"
giving the artist a chance to offer traditional sounds along with the self-exploration.
is full of loveliness and should bring in new fans, but it also hints that there are more paths for these artists to pursue and that they intend to do so with an eye toward shaking things up. ~ Joe Viglione