Teresa Manzella - Torch Swingin' (2000)

The dictionary defines a "torch song" as "a sentimental love song, typically one in which the singer laments a lost love." What the definition fails to recognize is that a torch song is virtually always sung by a woman. There are not many men who have made that style of singing a part of their performing repertoires. On this, her first album, Teresa Manzella sings songs that one might hear late at night in a café inhabited by lonely people, literally crying in their beers. She manages to add torch to songs where one might not expect it, such as "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" with Michael O'Brien's bowed bass taking on a brooding cello sound. For this song and others like "Autumn Serenade" and "Azure," Manzella's deep voice is just right to create the torchy mood. These tracks typically include the lamenting saxophone of Gary Berg. But Manzella understands that 50 minutes of sad café music may be too much. That's when the proceedings shift to the "swingin'" part of the title. Mood breakers like "My Babe" are inserted where Manzella assumes a bright, cute style. This is a fine cut, as Manzella shows off her scatting skills without overdoing it. Other up-tempo tunes in a similar style are fast-paced renditions of "Peel Me a Grape" and "Lullaby of Birdland." One concern involves engineering: Sometimes Manzella is hard to hear as she is overridden by the instruments (e.g., Hyvarinen's guitar on "Azure," where it's hard to discern the lyrics). Otherwise, the players are strongly supportive of Manzella, with the guitar taking the lead on several cuts and Mary Louise Knutson's piano assuming that role for the remaining ones. Outstanding drummer Tony Moreno sets the rhythmic pace throughout. Technical concerns notwithstanding, this is a fine maiden album from another good jazz artist from the upper Midwest area, and is recommended.~Dave Nathan