She’s got a right to sing the blues. And, with a song in her heart and set list worthy of Carmen McRae, Lynn Halliday’s new CD, Torched echoes a boatload of ghosts from the past. Under the keen musical guidance of David Brunetti leading the trio, the album slides through gems such as “Why Was I Born?,” “Fever,” “Earthly Paradise” and “Glad to Be Unhappy.” The lovely, perky thrush who recently kicked off the album with a terrific set at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, has a light alto that she uses well emoting this bleak and demanding material. In fact, with such an attractive sound and sincere commitment to the songs, the CD makes for fine background music. However, occasionally it all calls for more depth, as on the aforementioned wrist-slasher, “Why Was I Born?” by Hammerstein ll and Kern. This definitive dirge is never easy to pull off (unless you’re Helen Morgan or Ethel Waters) and it calls for solid, down and dirty grittiness to be most effective. In contrast, Sondheim’s theatrical mad scene, “Losing My Mind” from Follies, is given a stronger, more confident turn that better suits her emotional vocabulary. The album’s best cut, “So Many Stars” (the Bergmans/Mendes) is simply compelling and beautiful.

Throughout, there is an incessant hurdle concerning iconic jazz giants like Peggy Lee and Ella Fitzgerald who made many of these tunes staples in their repertoire and are so closely identified with them. Their versions are definitive. Consequently, Halliday has a lot to live up to. To her credit, she holds her own turning in a savvy job lending her own special brand of angst to smooth readings of bluesy evergreens usually associated with burning the midnight oil in the wee hours.

It all makes for an easy listen by a lady who, hopefully, will gain more texture as she grows in this tough territory. Also, she should sing more to get the right exposure. An occasional appearance once or twice a year won’t help her gain the recognition needed to make it onto the radar of serious blues or jazz aficionados.

Ultimately, the album is a keeper for those who like great blues beautifully arranged and delivered with class. While Halliday does a good job of interpreting lyrics, digging deeper would make it all more incisive. After all, it’s a big risk when you borrow signatures like Sinatra's “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)”—unless you can firmly plant your own stamp on it. For now, Halliday, who is a gutsy lady, is off to a good start and surely the best is yet to come.

David Brunetti’s arrangements are flawless, as is the work of musicians Frank Wagner on bass and Rex Benincasa on drums and percussion. These sidemen are top notch and play an invaluable role in formatting this CD into the pleasant listening experience it is.

John Hoglund
Cabaret Scenes
March 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org