If the human voice has been the universal palimpsest for the world of invented instruments to capture the beauty of human sound – melody, harmony and rhythm – then Catherine Russell would certainly be a perfect model [a late model, perhaps] for the design of everything. A late model only because she has come from a long and noble line of vocalists – artists such as Louis Armstrong, Blind Al Hibbler, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sassy and others are names that come to mind right now.
You just have to tune into anything Ms Russell sings to – especially on the gorgeous near-vocal-nakedness off My Ideal – especially the song itself – to dig how special she really is. Ms Russell is an artist of the first order; her instrument is like burnished gold seven times refined. Her vocalastics are truly special – gorgeous, mature, sensuous, with vivid imagism in her narratives and with both sweeping brush-strokes and inner detail in her emotive lyricism. And her musicianship is deep, songful – and even when she sings showtunes she sounds beautifully unaffected.
The album My Ideal, which highlights all of her musical charms in almost solitary splendour – the brilliant Sean Mason keeps largely out of the way as Ms Russell sings, but only moves into the limelight when Ms Russell withdraws into the shadows to let the pianist puts in a glistening arpeggio, a soft trinkling triad, or chop up the harmony with some stride playing in the grand manner of famous ghosts such as Fats Waller, James P. Johnson and Willie “The Lion” Smith. Cue Ain’t Got Nobody To Grind My Coffee and You Can Depend on Me to mention just two examples of his deep, erudite, historically-informed musicianship.
The repertoire on the album is superb. Teeming with beautifully-crafted arrangements of beguiling variety and sensuousness, in every lovingly caressed phrase. Her chosen material consists of a generous helping of classic songs dappled – every now and then – with lesser-known gems. Listening to the way in which Ms Russell seductively bends the notes of My Ideal, and how she sculpts the long-limbed inventions of South To a Warmer Place and Waitin’ for the Train to Come In, it’s clear that there’s a not a single semiquaver that’s not been fastidiously considered.
This recording by Ms Russell and Sean Mason was nominated for a Grammy Award, but sadly didn’t win. It seems that there’s no accounting for good taste in the public domain anymore…
Deo Gratis…
Music – 1. A Porter’s Love Song [To a Chambermaid]; 2. I Don’t Need No Doctor; 3. My Ideal; 4. You Stayed Away Too Long; 5. On The Sentimental side; 6. Ain’t That Love; 7. The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing; 8. Ain’t Got Nobody To Grind My Coffee; 9. You Can Depend on Me; 10. South To a Warmer Place; 11. Waitin’ for the Train to Come In.
Musicians – Catherine Russell: vocals; Sean Mason: piano.
Released: 2024
Label: Dot Time Records DT9151
[dottimerecords.com]
Runtime: 43:23