Tierney Sutton Band – Screen Play – BFM Jazz 68:22****
The Tierney Sutton Band was founded on a collegial construct based on Baha’i principles, which has been the ethos of the group since its inception over twenty-five years ago. It should then come as no surprise, that the singer has received 8 Grammy nominations for every session she and the band have recorded during the last decade. The latest entry in this progression of successes is Screen Play, which is focussed on the first Century associated with American film music.
Most of the compositions are readily identifiable and quite possibly easily associated by the listeners with the films for which they were made or in which they were played as incidental music. This adventure begins with “The Windmills Of Your Mind” written by Alan & Marilyn Bergman along with composer Michel Legrand for the wonderful Norman Jewison 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair. Tierney’s sly interpretation is filled with glossy contours which readily captures the restless of the number.
The Bergmans were prolific composers as three other of their compositions are included in this session including “What Are You Doing The Rest Of You Life”, “It Might Be You” and a previously unrecorded “Ev’ry Now And Then”. While the first number may be the better known, Sutton is more effective and affecting on the other two compositions as both are unabashedly romantic. In fact the third number had not previously been recorded. It is performed as a duet with pianist Christian Jacob making for a stylishly uncluttered interpretation.
The musical Grease written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey originally came to Broadway in 1972 and was adapted as a feature film in 1978. Two numbers from the movie were “Hopelessly Devoted To You” and “You’re The One That I Want” both of which receive unique treatments from Sutton. The former is offered as a moving ballad with Sutton impressively emotional and backed with thoughtful pianistic exposition from Christian Jacob. The latter tune is a Latin tinged 5/4 prance that is propulsive, smart and energetic.
We close with a couple of iconic songs from movies in the 1960s. Firstly the 1961 Blake Edwards comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s that featured the Henry Mancini/Johnny Mercer hit “Moon River”. Sutton is both thoughtful and lyrical as she runs through the lyrics. The other number is Paul Simon’s “The Sound Of Silence” which was integral to Mike Nichols 1967 groundbreaking movie The Graduate. The arrangement here is by bassist Trey Henry and drummer Ray Brinker which is a compelling backdrop for Tierney Sutton’s adventurous vocal interpretation of the tune.
This is another in an enviable string of shape-shifting releases by The Tierney Sutton Band.
Musicians:
Tierney Sutton – vocals; Christian Jacob – piano; Kevin Axt – bass; Trey Henry – bass; Ray Brinker – drums; Serge Merlaud – guitar #5,12,13; Alan Bergman – vocals #12
TrackList: The Windmills Of Your Mind; Moon River/Calling You; On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever); What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life; I’ve Got No Strings; If I Only Had A Brain; The Sound Of Silence; Goodbye For Now; Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend; Hopelessly Devoted To You; You’re The One That I Want; How Do You Keep The Music Playing ?. Ev’ry Now And Then; It Might Be You; Arrow
—Pierre Giroux
