Jaimee Paul - At Last (2009)

It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but there are fine lines between imitation, derivation, and attribution. Nashville based singer Jaimee Paul is fond of classic jazz-pop singers, string arrangements, and ballads, as heard on this recording. Her voice is distinctive, borrowing from the phrasings of her idols, and at times Aretha Franklin. The thick arrangements by Jeff Steinberg overwhelm Paul's voice on many occasions, which in fact matches the over-enunciated phrasings the vocalist favors. There are songs which feature a smaller ensemble featuring pianist Beegie Adair and guitarist Jack Jezzro that work better musically and allow Paul's natural voice to shine through. All of the tunes here have been done a million times before, and not much is really added to previous versions, and there's a lack of real creative spark that might make any of these renditions more distinctive and unique. "At Last" is an unfortunate choice, given the timing of the controversy between Etta James and Beyoncé about its authenticity. Little Jimmy Scott rendered this a classic, a fact most people forget, but here Paul's restrained voice à la Sister 'Re and the soppy strings leave it lying flat. "Summertime" also suffers from saccharine overarrangement, while "Sentimental Journey" is better, but exposes Paul's propensity to force overemphasized phrases. Happily, she's more relaxed and open-ended with the understated skyline strings during "Lover Man," the simpler "Love, You Didn't Do Right by Me," and "You Belong to Me" where her limited range is well suited. A bossa nova take of "What a Difference a Day Makes" (incorrect title) with Adair's quartet is a more interesting arrangement, Paul sounds more like herself as Jezzro's strident rhythm chords pace "Fever," and the finale "Over the Rainbow" with just Adair showcases the spare, subtle sounds Paul will hopefully explore on a future recording. Steinberg boasts a talented orchestra that could have been more effective with trimming, and showcases some fine cameo solos from trumpeter Leif Shires (Paul's husband) tenor saxophonist Dennis Solee, and especially Jezzro. This recording lacks risk-taking and expansiveness, elements that will hopefully factor into Jaimee Paul's future work, which needs a bigger and broader repertoire if she wants to be considered as, like her influences, a jazz vocal artist.© Michael G. Nastos /TiVo