Heather Rigdon - Young & Naïve (2007)

Heather Rigdon is a new name in the female jazz singer sweepstakes, and should be a solid contender for years to come. Her debut CD, produced by Cliff Goldmacher out of Nashville, has Rigdon in a mood reflective of the CD's title. She mulls over themes of love, denial, loss, yearning and learning, but is sophisticated and somewhat guarded. As a vocalist, she has a darling young girl's charm, tempered by a doubtful "show me" attitude and illuminated by the sleek and crafty soul of a temptress. Rigdon uses a limited, controlled range that nonetheless is wise and witty beyond her years. This is an all-original program of jazz oriented tunes, may written or co-written by Goldmacher, buoyed by excellent piano work from either Jody Nardone or Catherine Styron, with not a speck of overproduction or pop diva mechanisms, cutting directly to matters of the heart in a succinct way. In the slow bluesy stance of Mal Waldron's "Angel Eyes," Rigdon takes a contrary position about a preppy, pretty boyfriend on "My Mother Would Like You," while the outstanding "Bad for Business" is a convincing slinky blues with Rigdon suggesting the travails of "one woman, more than one man, it's a matter of supply and demand, you're a man that's "bad for business." In a mellow Brazilian tone, "Table for Two" and "Spring" evoke moods of inclusion and hope respectively, while the most swinging jazz occurs during the anticipatory "Really Something" penned by the producer and singer, and the hip, catty "Slow Fuse" is urged onward by overdubbed flutes and saxes from Jim Hoke. Stripped down to the barest of frames, "Gravity for Grace" with only piano accompaniment, is her legitimate, personalized love song, while "To Have & To Hold" is a soul waltz that utilizes the most pop phraseology. The zinger written by Serge Gainsbourg "Couleur Café," is sung in French with a samba beat, a purely sexual, alluring invitation into playful adult activities. There are scant few moments expressing heartbreak and disenchantment -- a good thing. Rigdon's overall positive message should appeal to a wide range of listeners who appreciate a retro mind with modern style and a heart that is still free, unsoiled and ready to embrace life.