Donna Byrne - It Was Me (1996)

In 1995 Donna Byrne was described by Tony Bennett as one of the "best young jazz singers in the country." More often that not, these complements are little more than throw always done as a courtesy. But Byrne's latest album reveals she deserves that complement and more. Teamed with outstanding instrumentalists, they perform a program of a couple of jazz standards, nods to Stevie Wonder and the Beatles, but mostly classic entries from the Great American Songbook. Irrespective of the source of the song, Byrne brings to each of them a freshness and style that's a joy to listen to and, for a musician, a pleasure to share the performance with her. Byrne is blessed with perfect pitch from which she never waivers no matter what she's singing. Her sensitivity to the picture lyrics are conveying and her impeccable phrasing coupled with bass player (and Byrne's husband) Marshall Wood's arrangements that accent the most favorable features of her vocal qualities, help make the album an auspicious event. How all of this comes together is nowhere better illustrated than with the medley of "When Your Lover has Gone" and "Lover, Come Back to Me" an album highlight. On the former, the trumpet of the venerable Herb Pomeroy embroiders pretty musical figures behind Byrne's poignant rendition of the first half of the medley.

Then Artie Cabral's high powered drumming leads the segue into the second part of the medley as Ken Peplowski's tenor barges upon the scene behind Byrne's exciting swinging. Peplowski picks up the solo cudgels engaging in an extended conversation with Gray Sargent's guitar as Byrne follows on with a moody chorus of the first half of the medley. The result is more than six minutes of an excellent performance of two warhorses with new saddles thrown over them. The other medley on the album shares the highlight award. On the first half of the pair of songs, Byrne's wordless vocalizing and Peplowski's sax replicate tenor sax player Lucky Thompson's authoritative 1956 recording of Oscar Pettiford's "Tricrotism," transforming it into a jazz sonata for vocal scat and tenor sax. Byrne follows by sliding into a medium tempo "Exactly Like You." The remaining tracks are done with equal enthusiasm and proficiency making the listener not only pleased with this album, but looking forward in anticipation of her next release. ~ Dave Nathan

Personnel: Donna Byrne (vocals); Ken Peplowski (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Herb Pomeroy (trumpet, flugelhorn); Bill Cunliffe (piano); Gray Sargent (guitar); Marshall Wood (bass); Artie Cabral (drums).