Stephanie Pope - Now's the Time to Fall in Love (2021)

In her debut album, cabaret performer Stephanie Pope chooses songs, mostly familiar, from Bob Fosse's final Broadway musical (more like a revue) Big Deal, which also was the vehicle for Pope's Broadway debut. Like a seasoned cabaret performer, Pope presents a variety of deliveries which are likely more engaging seeing them live than hearing them on a CD. Nonetheless, helped by some outstanding arrangements and musicians well primed to perform them, Pope comes as close to an in-person performance on CD as one can hope for. There's also a good dose of jazz here. Arrangements are anything but routine, providing new vistas to oft-performed melodies. The kick-off, "Happy Days Are Here Again," sets the tone for the session. Pope sings the lyrics in a reverent tempo, while sidemen, led by Daryl Kojak, are moving along a mile a minute. The old upbeat saloon standard "Charley My Boy" is introduced by Pope in a slower-than-ballad tempo. This is contrasted by a boppish sax improvisation. This close synergy between singer and instrumentalists permeates the entire set. Good ensemble work and especially the ability of the soloists to adapt to Pope's style of the moment is the key to this album's success. They swing, go Latin, do ballads, and modernize some old chestnuts. The trading of fours between singer and soloist is another example of close collaboration. Listen to Pope's scat tongue slapping and staccato trumpet go at it on a wildly played "I'm Just Wild About Harry." Also Pope doesn't hog the solo time; her sidemen get plenty. All the appropriate adjectives apply to Pope's way with the music shy, sensuous, sorrowful, slinky, soulful, and sassy. She uses them all as she put her innovative imprimatur on some old favorites. Recommended.