AMBER WEEKES

A LADY WITH A SONG CELEBRATES NANCY WILSON

Amber Inn Records

 Amber Weekes, vocals; Russell Malone, Andrew Synowiec, Gregory Cook & Paul Jackson Jr., guitar; Tony Campodonico, acoustic & Fender Rhodes piano; Andy Langham, piano; John B. Williams, Carlos Puerto & Jeff Littleton, bass; Fritz Wise, Donald Barrett & Oscar Seaton, drums/percussion; Joey De Leon, Pepe Jimenez & Munyungo, percussion; Paul Baker, harp; Gabriel “Slam” Nobles, timpani/orchestral percussion; Justo Almario & Carol Chaikin, flute; Mark Cargill, arranger/ conductor/violinist; SAXOPHONES: Miguel Gandelman, David W. Jackson, Jacob Scesney, Rickey Woodard, Justo Almario & Gerald Albright, tenor; Adam Schroeder, baritone; Carol Chaikin, soprano sax/flute; TRUMPETS: Ray Monteiro, Mike Cardone, Rashawn Ross; TROMBONES: Garrett Smith; GOSPEL CHOIR: Patrice Bell, Tamara Devant, Chevone Shampine, Kaleena Wiley, Ronald Hodge, Marcus Cargill; Ron Hasley, Choir director.

Amber Weekes comes out swinging, introducing us to Nancy Wilson from Nancy’s early recordings of 1956 to 1960, with “Gentleman Friend.”  The addition of strings is a pleasant surprise to this well-sung rendition of my “Gentleman Friend,” along with the guitar licks and solo of Russell Malone. The insertion of a tasty baritone saxophone part in the background played by Adam Schroeder really stands out. Amber’s rendition of “Save Your Love for Me” is fresh, with a wonderful arrangement by Mark Cargill. Gerald Albright shines on tenor saxophone.  From Nancy Wilson’s 1989 album, Weekes covers the title tune, “A Lady with A Song.”  I love Amber’s rendition of this tune and Carol Chaikin’s warm soprano saxophone improvisation sweetly colors their arrangement.  The Weekes’ rendition of Irving Berlin’s “Suppertime” tune deals with a lynching.  It’s often sanitized by other artist versions, but Amber adds a spoken word section where she frankly explains the horrible situation of her man not coming home for dinner, because he was hung by vigilantes.

I have been following the Amber Weekes career for a number of years.  This is certainly her best album release to date.  The songbird introduces this listener to a few gems that are rarely heard. For example, “Ten Good Years” and “Wasn’t It Wonderful.”

She puts a fresh face on all the standard jazz songs she covers.  For example, her slow shuffle of “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” is wonderful.  During the instrumental solos, the band doubles the time and speeds straight ahead like a Japanese bullet train. They feature the outstanding guitar solo of Russell Malone. Weekes sounds nothing like Wilson yet keeps the integrity and style of the singer embraced with her warm, jazzy sound.

Amber shows off her range during emotional deliveries on “Midnight Sun” and “Wave.”  Her inclusion of so many iconic musicians on this album is impressive, like Justo Almario playing flute on “Midnight Sun.”  Also, the violin solos by Mark Cargill are outstanding on several of the familiar songs we hear Weekes deliver. Cargill has also arranged and conducted this entire production. Here is an album that’s not only a wonderful tribute to the great Nancy Wilson, but it’s a tremendous joy to listen to the lovely, dedicated, jazzy voice of Amber Weekes.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

 

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