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Michael Hutchins
Via Gelato Cafe
July 31st 2010
1853 Tower Drive
Glenview, Ill 60026
Cost: $0
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Stacy McMichael
Julius Meinl
July 31st 2010
Addison / Southport
Chicago, Ill
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Jeannie Lambert - Alone With The Blues
vocalist Jeannie Lambert
pianist Judy Roberts
Are You Most Happy When You Are Sad?
BY RANDY FREEDMAN
When two great musical artists like vocalist Jeannie Lambert and pianist Judy Roberts combine to create a CD together for the first time, the expectations of any jazz fan must run high. But when the entire album, titled Alone With The Blues, is comprised of slow, sad ballads, which Lambert calls "torch, rip your heart out" songs, making it work must be must be considered a pretty ambitious project even for a couple of "heavy hitters" like Lambert and Roberts. These are songs of betrayal, lost loves, heartbreak, desire, and (sometimes undeserved) forgiveness from first song to last. A travel size Kleenex pack might as well come right with the CD.
On the very first song, "Don't Explain" (and again with "You've Changed"), Lambert captivates you and sets the tone for the entire album, just by singing the two simple words of the title. Lambert's voice and phrasing convey a message so complete that the rest of the lyrics are barely necessary. But who would want to be denied the pleasure of hearing Lambert sing them and bring such a sense of world-weary experience and hard won wisdom? Other less traveled vocalists can never begin to match her on ballads like these. When during "I'll Never Be The Same" Lambert sings the lyrics, "Once love was king, but kings can be wrong," it practically drags the memory of past mistakes in love from the dark basement corners of your mind to the forefront of your memories. There is no hiding. Lambert's performance on this album will make you feel every dark emotion you are capable of feeling.
Roberts' piano blends seamlessly with Lambert's vocals to create a complete and lush audio landscape waiting to be explored. Like a great actress accepting a colorful supporting role in a play, Roberts occasionally draws your full attention even though she is in no way trying to do so. Her extended solo introduction to "Detour Ahead" is understated, yet beautiful and haunting. Like the much shorter and more boisterous intro to "The Meaning of the Blues," it totally involves you and perfectly sets the stage for Lambert’s vocal entrance. The piano solo on the song "The End Of A Love Affair" is so like a musical extension of the lyric, that you feel the song has moved forward rather than taken a pause.
Lambert and Roberts have done what few others could do: they have taken a large serving of sad ballads and made them as delicious, provocative, and personal as catching up with old friends over late-night coffee. The recording quality is excellent, and the intimate microphone placement enhances the feel of a personal conversation. Here is a vivid musical portrayal of a woman of dignity and grace, standing tall in the face of despair, but who nonetheless has hope. That sense of hope allows you to fully enjoy this dark material. Alone With The Blues will add a new page to both of their long careers and will allow Lambert to forever more claim these ballads as her own.
This CD is available at jeannielambert.com or judyroberts.com.
Chicago freelance writer Randy Freedman is a jazz connoisseur, photographer, food critic, humorist, and devoted music fan. He is a regular contributor to Chicago Jazz Magazine.
By: Randy Freedman
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