Release Date: 03 June 2016
Label: Jazzizit Records
Packaging Type: Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5032396016650
Genres: Jazz  Vocal Jazz  
Release Date: 03 June 2016
Label: Jazzizit Records
Packaging Type: Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5032396016650
Genres: Jazz  Vocal Jazz  
Description
'The House' is Trudy Kerr's 13th album on her Jazzizit Label and is a collaboration between Trudy and pianist Andrea Vicari. For the past few years they have been performing duo gigs around London and on hearing Andrea's original compositions Trudy was inspired to begin writing lyrics to her beautiful tunes. It is packaged in a simple cardboard sleeve.
The album is a change of direction for Trudy. "Stylistically the tunes are more contemporary sounding and were therefore challenging to sing as well as write suitable lyrics to."
Joining them on the album are bassist Geoff Gascoyne and Martin Hathaway playing sax, flute and clarinet. This drummer-less quartet is more chamberlike in quality, the melodies are haunting the arrangements have strong counterpoint lines.
There are six original compositions on the album, four by Andrea and Trudy. The title track "The House" is a piano and voice duet. The lyrics are about Trudy's childhood house in Australia, a photo from the house taken in the 60's appears on the front cover. "Pretty Little Dancer" has a fun township groove and is about Trudy's ballet dancing daughter. "Hold Back the Tears" has a beautiful fluid solo by Andrea and Trudy's lyrics are about her son having to learn lessons in life and begin to stand on his own two feet.
The other songs on the album have been arranged by Geoff Gascoyne using the instrumentation and reharmonisation to reinvent the songs. "Infant Eyes" by Wayne shorter is in 5/4 and has lovely interplay between Trudy and Martin on the solo. "Waltz for Debby" by Bill Evans has the added extra of Trudy's vocalese written to the Cannonball Adderley solo. The lyrics continues Gene Lee's story of a little girl growing up. Chick Corea's "Crystal Silence" is sad and reflective and Trudy has added some improvised lyrics to the end of the piece. There is also an uplifting version of Fred Hersch and Norma Winstone's "Song of Life".
Tracklisting
Nelson Rangell
Sheena Davis Group
The Derek Nash Acoustic Quartet
Geoff Gascoyne & Pete Churchill
Geoff Gascoyne
Iain MacKenzie
Bobby Wellins
Tony Smith
Trudy Kerr
Trudy Kerr
Trudy Kerr
Trudy Kerr
Trudy Kerr
Trudy Kerr
Trudy Kerr