Rigmor Gustafsson - I Will Wait For You (2014) [Hi-Res]

With the plethora of female vocalists emerging to interpret and reinterpret the Great American Songbook, it is interesting to note that some of the more innovative and unique female vocalists are coming out of Scandinavia. Susanne Abbuehl pursues her own muse, putting the words of poet e.e. cummings to music, or writing sparse poetry to the music of Carla Bley; Sidsel Endresen works within the nujazz movement, often pairing with electronica guru Bugge Wesseltoft; and now Swedish singer Rigmor Gustafsson who, with a programme that is more rooted in standards than the others, is nevertheless equally unaffected and honest. I Will Wait For You is her first recording for a major label, and finds her produced by and paired with Swedish trombonist/vocalist Nils Landgren, who continues to make a name for himself by reinventing what his instrument is capable of. Clean, economical and spare, the base instrumentation revolves around the piano trio, with occasional strings added by The Fleshquartet, and horns by Landgren and trumpet player Staffan Svensson. Pianist Roberto Di Gioia is a solid accompanist, always supporting and never getting in the way; bassist Lars Danielsson has a remarkable sense of groove and works hand-in-glove with drummer Wolfgang Haffner.

One look at the programme and the first thing that comes to mind is that this is a shtick recording, but that is the furthest thing from the truth. 'Makin’ Whoopee' is reinvented as a light funk tune, with Danielsson’s supple bass and Haffner’s brushwork propelling. Jacque Brel’s 'If You Go Away' receives a sensitive reading, with Gustafsson’s slightly rushed phrasing implying the sense of urgency in the lyrics. The use of the strings is subtle, never overbearing; Gustafsson’s voice is sweet, but never syrupy.

There is a certain pop sensibility about the arrangements and the production. Solos are short and contained; song form is always maintained; this is no heavy blowing session. But within the confines of the arrangements the musicians are given room to subtly interpret. 'Empty Hearts' opens the CD on a tender note, with a lyrical solo from Danielsson echoing the sentiments expressed by Gustafsson. While Gustafsson and Landgren stay relatively faithful to the melody of James Taylor’s 'Fire and Rain', the solo section takes off in another, equally lyrical, direction before returning for the last verse.

Landgren’s reputation for diversity is in clear evidence here, both in the choice of material and its interpretation. From the poignant 'The Moon is a Harsh Mistress' to the lightly funky 'Black Coffee' to the bossa 'It’s Been So Long', there is a breadth to the material that makes for a captivating programme; yet for all the variety there is an underlying cohesiveness that keeps things hanging together.

Throughout the programme there is a certain nakedness; a baring of the soul in Gustafsson’s delivery that sets her apart from other singers who approach similar material. Like Abbuehl and Endresen, Gustafsson avoids the pitfall of over-dramatizing in her phrasing and choice of notes; instead she keeps her readings simple, with the interpretation subtle and understated.

Listeners who are tired of the overblown way in which standards are typically being interpreted would be hard pressed to find a more open, unassuming album of vocal jazz than Rigmor Gustafsson’s I Will Wait For You. Between Gustafsson’s appealing delivery and Landgren’s tasteful production, this is one of the finest albums of vocal jazz to be released this year. (John Kelman, Jazzreview.com 2003)

Rigmor Gustafsson, vocals
Nils Landgren, trombone & vocals
Roberto Di Gioia, piano
Lars Danielsson, bass
Wolfgang Haffner, drums

Guests:
Staffan Svensson, trumpet
The FleshQuartet:
Jonas Lindgren, strings
Örjan Högberg, strings
Mattias Hellden, strings
Sebastian Öberg, strings
Chrille Olsson, strings


Recorded and Mixed by Jan Ugand at Polar Studios, Stockholm, Sweden in January and April 2003
Mastered by Klaus Scheuermann
Produced by Nils Landgren

Digitally Remastered