Jo Lawry - I Want to Be Happy (2008)

Tracklist

01. The Water is Wide
02. Prelude to Happiness
03. I Want to Be Happy
04. February
05. I Only Have Eyes For You
06. Small House
07. I Could Have Danced All Night
08. Until
09. I\'m Old Fashioned
10. Can\'t Smile Without You
11. In a Spin
12. Love is Now (Memoria e Fado)
13. Loro
14. I Guess I\'ll Hang My Tears Out to Dry
15. Tried and Tried

Since moving to New York from her native Australia, Jo Lawry has become one of the most impressive voices of a new generation of jazz vocalists. This debut album features songs and standards arranged beautifully by Ms. Lawry (\"I Want to Be Happy\") as well as sparkling original songs (\"Small House\"), thoughtful re-imaginings of pop songs (\"February\" and \"Until\") and an infectious Brazilian tune that will leave you breathless (\"Loro\"). From the beautiful reading of traditional song in \"The Water is Wide\" to the vocal gymnastics of her original \"In a Spin\", Jo Lawry simultaneously displays both virtuosity and sensitivity. The eclectic powerhouse \"Tried and Tried\" defies classification and shows that Ms. Lawry is an artist whose range has not yet been charted. Not to be missed are the duo selections: with guitarist Keith Ganz, she neatly takes on jazz standards (\"I’m Old Fashioned\", \"I Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry\") and \"I Could Have Danced All Night\" with percussionist James Shipp is a shining example of Ms. Lawry’s extraordinary musicianship. On this album, Jo Lawry at once tests the limits of technical facility and explores the furthest reaches of musical expression. Her music, steeped in the jazz tradition without being constrained by its traditional forms and functions, demonstrates a unique combination of maturity and inventiveness.

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