1. Just Sometimes
2. Sisyphus
3. Cradle Song (Hoy Nazan)
4. Like a Lover
5. Rush
6. The Titles
7.Carnera
8. Lipe Rosize
9. Among the Clouds
10. Ballo Furlano
11. Goddess
12. En Mort d'En Joan de Cucanh
Norma Winstone - Voice
Klaus Gesing - Bass clarinet, soprano sax
Glauco Venier - Piano
It's my firm belief that if jazz enjoyed the same status as opera in the corridors of influence then Norma Winstone would be a Dame of the Order of the British Empire rather than the modest MBE that she currently holds.
If there is a better interpreter of non-classical songs in the world
today, then I have yet to hear them. In her maturity, Winstone's voice
has acquired a mellifluous resonance that demands the listener's full
attention. All this will give away the fact that I am distinctly in
favour of this superb CD.
It's the third recording made by Norma Winstone in her "Distances"
trio with Italian pianist Venier and German saxophonist Gesing. The
empathy between the three musicians has developed into chamber jazz
of the highest order.
Winstone is not only a great interpreter of a lyric but a gifted lyric writer and contributes eight sets of lyrics to this collection of songs, including the Armenian Cradle Song which cleverly combines the poetry of Christina Rossetti. Gesing contributes three originals and Venier one original plus two arrangements of traditional tunes. It is unlikely that any of these songs will be familiar, which is one of the great virtues of this recording - it is constantly fresh and original and repays close attention. Just Sometimes, the opening track, is as hauntingly moving as any song can be.
Gesing contributes some sinuous solos on bass clarinet and is also very effective on soprano sax on the wordless Lipe Rosize. Venier's piano style is very much in the European tradition of crystalline chords and limpid solos. A beautiful recording - not a note out of place.
Move over, Dame Felicity Lott.
George Stacy
CD Reviews
ECM 273 7426
