Tina May - Home Is Where the Heart Is (2015)

Tina May (vocals); Enrico Pieranunzi (piano); Tony Coe (soprano saxophone on tracks 3 & 7)

Recorded November 2014

Coming hot on the heels of two albums for Hep Jazz, Diva and My Kinda Love, with a larger ensemble, this most welcome of releases finds the Tina back at 33 Records where she began her solo recording career and in a paired down setting in which she excels so well. She has often recorded and performed in a trio or duo setting, with several notable albums with Nikki Iles under her belt, but this new album with Italian pianist, Enric Pieranunzi is perhaps her boldest yet.

May's instinct for the right song is often unfailing, and when she plunders the Great American songbook she will often come up with some unexpected and lesser heard gems, but with the exception of 'Day Dream' by Duke and Billy Strayhorn and 'This Is New' from the pen of Weill and Gershwin, all the other music is written by Pieranunzi with Tina adding lyrics to five of the compositions. If as a result of this selection in repertoire much of the music is new to many listeners, May and Pieranunzi deliver these songs in such a way, that despite the intimacy of the setting and in many cases the lyric, there is a feeling of comfort and familiarity as if the two musicians are inviting you into their world and sharing their deepest thoughts and feelings. This brings a warmth to proceedings that enhances the experience and allows these beautiful songs to unfurl and tell their story in their own unhurried manner.

Of the original material with Tina's lyrics, the most poignant is the delicately haunting melody of 'Within The Hush Of The Night (Within The House Of The Night) with the pianist's touch at the Keyboard supporting the meaning and beauty of May's words, and linger long in the memory. Equally fine is the title track, 'Home Is Where The Heart Is' which is based on the original composition of Pieranunzi's 'Distance From Departure'.

Elsewhere we are treated to 'The Night Bird (Nightbird)' written by Enrico and performed by his Space Jam Trio that accompanied Chet Baker during the trumpeter's spell in Europe in the late 70's, and includes a superb vocal from May where she has added lyrics not just to Pieranunzi's composition but also the to Baker's trumpet solo and which she negotiates with great skill and control.

As if a fine album with seven original tunes, two great standards impeccably interpreted by two maestros is not sufficient , we are also presented with another maestro with the presence of the wonderful Tony Coe who is featured on soprano saxophone on two tracks. On the above mentioned 'The Night Bird' he certainly ruffles some feathers with some fearsome playing that enhances the anticipation prior to May's entry,and then shadowing and echoing the singer in a duet improvisation to climax the piece. The more delicate side of Coe is heard on the tender reading of 'Day Dream' in which saxophone, vocal, and piano dovetail beautifully.

This not just another fine album to add to your collection from Tina May's burgeoning discography, but perhaps her best album to date and essential listening from one of the UK's national treasures.~Reviewed by Nick Lea