Love Stories
Concord Jazz
"Love Stories" is the latest recording from the multi-faceted Elias. An orchestral album, it reveals her talents as a vocalist, pianist, arranger, composer, lyricist, and producer on this album of bossas, whether rendering personal versions of bossa classics, reimagining other songs into bossa songs and a few select originals. Describing this album, she states, "The idea for this album was to bring to life various stories of love and loving through this collection of songs." This album was recorded in Brazil with some of her favorite Brazilian musicians including Marcus Texiera on guitar, and Edu Rebeiro, Rafael Barata, and Celso Almeida on drums. Marc Johnson is co-producer and plays bass, and Rob Mathes is the orchestrator of the lush string arrangements presented that intertwine with Elias' small group arrangements.
The material is wonderful starting with Frances Lai's theme from the French movie "A Man and a Woman," that sets the pattern with Elias' soft, soothing, velvety vocal (almost whispered) with the light swaying backing enhancing the effect. Soft trumpet opens an enchanting interpretation of the Patti Austen and James Ingram classic "Baby Come To Me." Then there is a dreamy interpretation of Jobim's "Bonita," which Jobim collaborated with Frank Sinatra. Two songs associated with Sinatra follow. There is a sensual rendition of "Angel Eyes" followed by an inspired interpretation of "Come Fly With Me," with its gentle sensuality contrasting with how Sinatra belted it out decades ago.
"The Simplest Things" is a beautiful original about how the simplest things in a shared life are often the things the matter the most. Her piano, her as elsewhere, is superb in the same restrained manner as her vocals. Robert Menescal plays guitar on his breezy "Little Boat." This song opens with Elias singing the first verse in Portuguese, the only performance where she does not sing exclusively in English. Elias is also exceptionally superb on her piano solo here. The other two songs, both Elias originals, are equally appealing. There is plenty of romance, and more as Elias charms us with these captivating "Love Stories."
I received my review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the September-October 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 386). Here is "Baby Come To Me," from the CD.
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