Anais Reno
Lovesome Thing: Anais Reno sings Ellington & Strayhorn
Featuring Emmet Cohen
(Harbinger Records)
April 3, 2021
Reviewed by Alix Cohen
From the first track’s wordless vocal introduction to “Caravan” (Duke Ellington/Irving Mills/Juan Tizol), Reno hooks you. With only percussion (Kyle Poole) accompanying, her evocative alto conjures The Casbah. Transitions arrive as if air is taken in and blown out—a hookah? Despite an excellent full band jazz arrangement and the fine sax (Tivon Pennicott) that follows, I’d have loved to hear the entire song performed with only percussion.
The iconic “Mood Indigo” (Ellington/Mills/Barney Bigard) is sensual silk/satin—pure 1930s. Her phrasing is superb and the arrangement is cool. Reno has unhurried, natural authority. “Still in Love” (Billy Strayhorn) is a jaunty stroll; a plummy vocal smiles. “Chelsea Bridge”/“A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing” (Billy Strayhorn) follows. The first is dancey. Reno chooses to extend lyrics, rather than cut them as most singers do with this song. Emmet Cohen’s piano is playful. The second emerges with another appealing wordless vocal. It’s musing but not in any way insubstantial; it’s a smooth pour of molasses. Sax (Juliet Kurtzman) is subtle and articulate.
“I’m Just a Lucky So and So” (Ellington/Mack David) revels in being sexy. The bass shadows with a raised eyebrow. The scat is round-edged, like a muted horn. A melancholy “It’s Kind of Lonesome Tonight” (Ellington/Don George) and “Day Dream” (Ellington/Strayhorn/John Latouche) are sophisticated, not desolate. The artist never presents herself as defeated.
Even “I Ain’t Got Nothin’ but the Blues” (Ellington/George), which starts with wow a cappella vocal, sashays in, jaded but without self-pity. “All Roads Lead Back to You” (Ellington/Strayhorn/Allen Roy) is regretful and resigned. Its arrangement buoys conversational reflection.
“Lush Life” is the only cut on the CD whose choices I question. It’s a full technicolor, panavision interpretation. I miss the bottom-of-the-glass dejection.
We close with a slick, feisty, jitterbug version of “Take the ‘A’ Train” (Billy Strayhorn). The attitude is just right. I dare you to sit still.
A terrific CD.
