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Honeysuckle Rose
Self-released
The Fats Waller song "Honeysuckle Rose" provides the debut album's title from vocalist Aubrey Wilson's Quartet. This album was recorded at Toronto's Canterbury Music Company by Jeremy Darby with Ms. Wilson's vocals accompanied by Chris Bruder on piano and Wurlitzer, Tom Altobelli on bass, and Sean Bruce Parker on drums. Luis Deniz plays alto saxophone, and Scott Taplay plays guitar on two selections, respectively.
Wilson is gifted with an appealing voice with her pure, clean phrasing and diction, as well as fluid, nuanced phrasing. The group has worked out some fresh arrangements for some familiar songs, including the opening "Nature Boy," with a stutter step groove, tuneful scatting, and Taplay's searing rock-inspired guitar. Particularly impressive is the reflective rendition of the title song, taken at a far slower tempo than usual. Taplay's guitar adds atmosphere with his use of effects. There is her singing on a charming, relaxed waltz, "Alice in Wonderland," followed by the relaxed swing of "I Will Wait for You" with Deniz's marvelous dry martini alto sax solo.
Also notable is the vocal for Mark Murphy's lyrics for Oliver Nelson classic "Stolen Moments," with her horn-like phrasing complemented by Bruder's keyboards. Another unexpected delight is the melodious performance of The Beatles' "Norwegian Wood," with a free-floating piano solo and propulsive drumming. The remaining selections are of a similar level and receive superb backing on this excellent set of jazz vocals.
I received a download of this album from a publicist. This CD is available on bandcamp, https://theaubreywilsonquartet.bandcamp.com/album/honeysuckle-rose. Here is a short clip of her performing.
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