Marty Elkins & Mike Richmond
’Tis Autumn
(Jazzheads CD)
December 2, 2020
Reviewed by Alix Cohen
Marty Elkins is terrific. The pristine quality of her slip/slide vocals, empathetic phrasing, and relaxed control bring singular life to whatever material she chooses. An entire CD with only bass and occasional cello accompaniment, however, is challenging. Together Mike Richmond’s cottony or resonant pulse offers shaded contrast to Elkins’ brightness. “Singing with just bass accompaniment gives me a lot of freedom to play.” (Elkins). Solo, Richmond most often eschews melodic ties for something that feels shapeless.
“Old Devil Moon” (Burton Lane/Yip Harburg) sounds tickled. The rhythmic bass collaborates. “In a Mellow Tone” (Duke Ellington/Milt Gabler) sashays in, leading with its hip. Scat is swanky and raffish, vibrato supple. The tune gently swings. Henry Nemo’s “’Tis Autumn,” a highlight, drifts down languid as a leaf on the breeze. Do I hear a slight southern accent? The track is bluesy and soulful, the strings more defined.
“When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along” (Harry Woods) conjures the bird dancing with his shadow. Scat is in conversation with the bass, and the song is infectiously jaunty. When the cello appears on “Stairway to the Stars” (Marty Malneck/Frank Signorelli), jazz becomes balladic. “Lullaby of the Leaves” (Bernice Petkere) arrives with the shrugging ease of kicking a rock down a country road.
“I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But the Blues” (Duke Ellington/Don George) is dusky, but true to its implied emotion. A familiar backroom sound emerges. “All or Nothing At All” (Arthur Altman/Jack Lawrence) is martini-sophisticated. Strings circle like Saturn rings. The vocal wafts and wavers. Elkins sighs.
If you’re a die-hard Elkins fan, this choice offers a different sound. If you’re just beginning with her however, start elsewhere. She’s extremely worthy.
