Veronica Martell - Lucky (2001)

Lucky is Veronica Martell's second release in as many years and reveals to listeners several new dimensions of her remarkable vocal talent. The accompaniment of nimble winds, vivid percussion, and majestic brass make up Martell's swinging tentet, and together they bring the house down with their energetic rendering of Allen Farnham's arrangements of time-honored standards. Lucky also features guest artists Kevin Mahogany, Allen Farnham, Bob Sheppard, and Buddy Williams, along with Frank Pellegrino dueting with Martell on a special bonus track "Ain't That a Kick in the Head." This is modern-day swing singing at its finest, and their rousing duet is right on the money. The 11 songs also show off Martell's exquisite four-octave vocal range, the guitar finesse of Tony Viscardo, Allen Farnham's command of the minor key 12-bar blues, and the purposeful walking basslines of David Jackson. Her brilliant duet with Kevin Mahogany on "It's Alright With Me" features her less-than run-of-the-mill swing voice in perfect harmony with Mahogany's beautiful baritone vocals before Mahogany launches into a full-bodied scat. "Even God Must Get the Blues," an original written by Tony Viscardo and Veronica Martell, features Martell's range beautifully comped by Viscardo's swinging guitar solo and Bob Sheppard's tenor saxophone, while "Romancing the Blues" finds Martell's vocals wrapped in a blues ambience that will have listeners enraptured in her lament. Veronica Martell's repertoire is more versatile on Lucky than on her debut release, and as a result of international performances, a better production team, television appearances, and added name recognition, this CD serves notice that Martell's debut release, Big City Swing, was just the tip of the iceberg. ~ Paula Edelstein