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The
Nearness of You
Sarah DeLeo | Sweet Sassy Music
By William Grim
All About Jazz
Review
"Sarah DeLeo, a young New York-based singer, conjures up images
of Peggy Lee and the elegant supper club years of the 1950s and
1960s. I was particularly impressed with the tune selection and
arrangements on her debut, The Nearness of You. She begins the album
with a bossa nova version of 'If I Had You' that works wonderfully
and gives a fresh lease on life to a song that doesn't get much
play any more. It was also nice to hear the sorely overlooked Peggy
Lee/Dave Barbour tune 'It's a Good Day.' DeLeo has the Peggy Lee
phrasing down pat, and she has mastered her understated swinging
style.
DeLeo shows that she doesn't have to shout to swing or to sing the
blues. This can heard in her versions of '(The Night Time is) The
Right Time' and an inspired shuffle version of 'The Glory of Love'—a
tune I normally despise, but somehow DeLeo makes it work.
Although this album is a tribute to the great American Songbook
and examines familiar musical territory, one new discovery was the
humorous Chuck Meyer/Biff Jones tune 'Too Young for the Blues' and
its Dave Frishberg-like lyrics. This is followed, however, by a
very soulful and bluesy version of 'Angel Eyes' that she sings accompanied
only by Mark Verdino's bass.
DeLeo's ballad singing is truly inspired. With a musicality that
belies her youth, she can slow down a ballad like Shirley Horne
and bring a poignancy to the simplest phrase, as evidenced by her
versions of 'The Nearness of You' and 'It's Easy to Remember', both
of which feature tasteful obbligatos by guitarist Chris Bergson.
Ending the album as she began, DeLeo presents a bossa nova version
of 'So in Love', and like all of Cole Porter's tunes, it seems to
have anticipated the bossa nova revolution by several decades.
This is a wonderful album that features a delightful voice, imaginative
arrangements, and a group of musicians who perform with total musical
cohesion. It exhibits something we encounter very rarely in these
vulgar times: consummate taste. My only quibble is its 48 minute
duration."
Eric Cohen, Music Director
WAER - Syracuse, NY
"a truly gorgeous vocal album...the girl can flat out sing!"
Tristan Smith
jazzreview.com
Review
"Sarah DeLeo's debut CD, The Nearness of You, is filled with classics
from the Great American Songbook. DeLeo has a distinct delivery and
conjures images of Peggy Lee and Lena Horne. Sit back and let the
disc spin and if you close your eyes you can feel the smoke from the
jazz club settle in around you. You'll hear the tink of half-filled
glasses clanking together at the bar and the gentle murmuring of your
fellow listeners around you. DeLeo puts forth the air of the 1950s
New York supper club - a little understated but with great talent
waiting to be allowed to burst forth.
DeLeo is daring with her choice of rhythms for her tracks. The Judy
Garland ballad "If I Had You" has become a bossa nova which works
amazingly well with the melody and lyrics. Lew Herman's blues classic
"(The Night Time is) The Right Time" finds DeLeo taking her time
with the song's pace. This gives the song a completely different
and sexy feel to it; much different than Joe Williams' classic recording.
"It's a Good Day," Peggy Lee's classic, is given a proper treatment
with DeLeo's full-bodied voice. Starting out with a melancholy mood,
the band picks up the tempo and turns the track into a cheery waltz.
Brian Charette shows his skill on the blacks and whites with a solo
over Mark Verdino's walking bass before allowing DeLeo to return
and conclude the song on an uplifting note.
Ned Washington and Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness of You" give credit
to the title track. DeLeo opens with her rendition of the song's seldom-heard
first verse accompanied only by Chris Bergson's guitar. Together
they segue with the rest of the rhythm section into the well-known melody.
This is one of the best tracks on the CD and each performer is given a
chance to shine. "Blackbirds," a contemporary song by Erin McKeown, is
another highlight. DeLeo sings the tunes lyrics over beats sampled from
Erykah Badu's album Baduizm. Bouyed by Chuck MacKinnon's trumpet, David
Cook's Fender Rhodes and Bergson's guitar give this track a mysterious air.
There is a lot of talent in this young vocalist. With a few more years
under her belt I really believe that Sarah DeLeo will be able to strike
out onto the national scene. From beginning to end The Nearness of You is
a winner and Sarah DeLeo's silky voice will leave you wishing for another
48 minutes of her music."
Jeff Rossen
Gay Chicago Magazine
"The label's name that Sarah DeLeo released her The Nearness of You on sure sums up the album perfectly:
Sweet Sassy Music. With It's a Good Day reset in a jazz waltz tone, a totally candid take of the title
track that seems almost like a confessional letter rather than lyric read, a slightly funked up The Glory
of Love and the backroom jazz flavored Blackbirds, DeLeo and her six-member band deliver a delicious
10-track set that is as enjoyable as it is welcoming. There's a natural unaffectedness in DeLeo's vocal
performance that brings a charm to her selections, whether she's swaying in the Latin-tinged opening
If I Had You or belying the words of Too Young for the Blues by conveying just what the blues are all about.
She takes a darker turn with only Mark Verdino's sexy bass line backing her on Angel Eyes and then closes
out with a sentimental take on It's Easy to Remember and a just dandy So In Love that's one of most fun
versions these ears have heard. This collection's a winner from start to finish. (***1/2)"
Rob Lester
talkinbroadway.com
Review
"Sneaking in quietly with good taste comes a young singer named Sarah DeLeo with her debut CD.
She's a jazz-influenced singer with a warm sound, sounding quite sophisticated and
pretty daring, too. She tackles a variety of tempi and does well. Most of this doesn't
really sound like a first album because she's so comfortable. The title song is especially tasty.
Her inclusion of the verse makes it even more romantic and tender, as does the featured but subtle
guitar of Chris Bergson - very cool. It lasts for more than six minutes but doesn't feel overlong at all.
The Rodgers and Hart selection ("It's Easy to Remember") and the Cole Porter song "So in Love"
(Kiss Me Kate) find her phrasing thoughtful and with originality. When Sarah takes things slow,
she's pensive and it's worth the time she takes. There are some bluesy side trips, too, but things don't
get morose. This singer exudes intelligence, and the scales tip towards optimism overall.
"Blackbirds" by singer-songwriter Erin McKeown is a new number to me, a funky story song making for a hip
change of pace, with trumpeter Chuck Mackinnon added as another plus. "Angel Eyes" is just Sarah and
bass player Mark Verdino: this spare dare pays off impressively. She's really in the company of some
skilled musicians on this album, including drummer Diego Voglino whose work I especially appreciate on
repeated listenings. The band also includes keyboard work by David Cook and, on four tracks, pianist
Brian Charette (she co-produced the CD with him).
My favorite track is "It's a Good Day," a Peggy Lee
trademark written by Miss Lee and her guitarist husband Dave Barbour. Sarah has her own intriguing look
at it, taking the usually brisk song out of tempo and exploring it, gradually adding energy. This is a
creative album all around but not an exercise in showing off or self-indulgence. Quite the contrary, this
mostly laidback outing does not wear out its welcome. I've had it for a few weeks now and find myself
returning to it over and over, especially late at night."
C. Michael Bailey
All About Jazz
Review
"East Coaster Sarah DeLeo takes a no nonsense approach to her jazz vocals. Her instrument is uniquely uncomplicated and her delivery conservative
and tasteful. DeLeo's newest recording, The Nearness of You focuses attention on a middle-of-the-road set of jazz standards. Her band is nominally
a guitar-keyboards quintet. But first that voice.
DeLeo expresses a wide range both sonically and in terms of repertoire. She favors light accompaniment, which her band amply provides her.
An Islands' ambiance infuses "If I Had You." DeLeo softens Peggy Lee on "It's A Good Day" while retaining the folksiness of the tune. "The Nearness Of
You" is well-cast with guitarist Chris Bergson in duo with DeLeo in the introduction. The song's instrumental development is gradual and perfectly paced
with all members performing before the listener is aware. This is great arranging. "The Night Time Is The Right Time" is the least suited song for DeLeo's
delicate instrument though the singer does take the Ray Charles classic for an aerobic spin. David Cook's Fender Rhodes perfectly seasons the piece while
Bergson adds a bit of grease to the fire.
The Nearness of You is a narrowly focused collection of performances worthy of a listen. Many will find this disc exceptional."
Michael P. Gladstone
All About Jazz
Review
"Jazz vocalist Sarah DeLeo's debut album is bookended by two bossa
nova treatments from the Great American Songbook: the Shapiro/Campbell
piece 'If I Had You' and Cole Porter's 'So In Love'. The most notable
aspect of DeLeo's style is the Peggy Lee vibe that she often summons
up in her delivery of these songs."
Jim Santella
All
About Jazz
"Sarah DeLeo's fresh voice interprets this program of standards
with a knowing heart. It has an innocence that rings positive.
She gives you the feeling that we're at liberty to lighten up,
relax a while, and let the music take care of our worries."
L.A. Jazz Scene
"With a relazed vocal session, singer Sarah DeLeo interprets
standards for her debut CD along with a stellar New York crew
of staid veterans. The fresh innocence in her voice gives familiar
songs such as "It's a Good Day," "So in Love" and "The Glory of
Love" a heartfelt charm."
tomhull.com
"Young
vocalist, identifies with singer Peggy Lee, not cellist Peggy Lee;
a passel of standards, mostly backed with guitar (Chris Bergson),
bass and drums, sometimes with keybs, two cuts with trumpet. So
competent, and so likeable, the ups and downs merely mirror the
songlist. B+"
O's Place Jazz Newsletter
"Sarah's voice is soft and gentle with a friendly country twist
that establishes her signature. She redefines ten standards; each
arranged to fit her groove. The tempo is relaxed just enough to
let you feel it on 'Too Young for the Blues' with a
nice solo from Chris Bergson (g). We also liked 'Blackbirds'
with solid work from Bergson, Chuck Mackinnon (t) and Brian Charette
(p), the bossa nova beats of 'If I Had You' and 'The
Right Time'. 4/5"
Radio Antenna Uno, Italy
"Ms. DeLeo wears her heart on her sleeve, as she gently pulls
you into her world. Her voice is like a light breeze on a warm
spring day. Her gentle swing helps whittle away the hours on a
lazy day. Well done!"
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