Street Date 01/31/12 (*)
You will dig this...
Amy Cervini is not a singer, not a vocalist but a wonderful story teller. Amy Cervini is an artist. Digging Me Digging You is breathing new life and for some people perhaps first discovery into the hip jazz pixie Blossom Dearie. While the release title is drawn from the lyrics to "Hey John" a song Dearie penned after becoming friends with John Lennon, Digging Me Digging You is a wonderful look not just at Dearie but a rising vocal star in Amy Cervini.
Unlike the American Idol and X-Factor flavored vocal pyrotechnics of vocalists whose greatest claim to fame may be a seven octave range despite not having the slightest clue as to how to use this gift artistically, Cervini is real. Cervini plays catch and release with certain notes all while keeping the melody front and center. Joined by an all star New York jazz combo, Cervini covers tunes such as "Everything I've Got" and "Tea for Two" and once again makes old school become new cool with relative ease.
This eclectic if not quirky set of tunes covers a wide range but is easily accessible to all tastes. On "Everything I've Got" Cervini conveys the right amount of attitude, sass and playful exuberance without ever hitting that self indulgent trip wire that a "singer" might otherwise find quickly. "I Like You, You're Nice" is an intimate ballad delivered with a subtle sensuality that is refreshing in the hands of a true artist. The rhythm section of Bruce Barth on piano, Matt Aronoff on bass and drummer Matt Wilson play with and not around Cervini which adds great texture and depth to a release full of intriguing nuances. Meters are slightly altered and arrangements slightly tweaked but everything comes together as a unique and invigorating take on classic vocal jazz.
Not familiar with Blossom Dearie? That's cool. Cervini will do the introductions on an impeccable release that is as entertaining as they come!
And...You will dig it.
5 stars!
Tracks: Everything I've Got; I Like You; Rhode Island; May I Come In; My Attorney Bernie; Hey John; Down With Love; Once Upon A Summertime; Doodlin Song; I'm Shadowing You; Tea For Two; The Physician; Figure Eight.
Personnel: Amy Cervini: vocals; Bruce Barth: piano; Matt Aronoff: bass; Matt Wilson: drums; Anat Cohen: clarinet; Avishai Cohen: trumpet; Jesse Lewis: guitar; Jeremy Udden: alto saxophone; Josh Sinton: baritone saxophone; Jennifer Wharton: bass trombone; James Shipp: vibes and percussion.
Cellos: Yair Evnine; Rubin Kodheli; Yoed Nir; Jessie Reagan; Alex Waterman.
For more: http://www.amycervini.com/
(*) Release dates are subject to change and initially this release was scheduled to hit the streets earlier. This review will be posted again closer to release date!
