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Kristin Korb: Beyond The Moon

By Dan Bilawsky
December 2, 2016
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While

Johnny Mercer

composer / conductor
1909 - 1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Johnny Mercer's place in history has been acknowledged time and again, album-length tributes to the legendary lyricist, songwriter, vocalist, and Capitol Records founder aren't as common as you might think. Yes, there are gems in that category (and/or compilations) from vocal icons like

Ella Fitzgerald

vocals
1917 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Ella Fitzgerald,

Frank Sinatra

vocals
1915 - 1998

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Sinatra,

Bing Crosby

vocals
1903 - 1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Bing Crosby, and

Rosemary Clooney

vocals
1928 - 2002

" data-original-title="" title="">Rosemary Clooney; oddities that fit the bill, like drummer

Buddy Rich

drums
1917 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy Rich's vocal-centric journey through Mercer's work; under-the-radar dates from unsung vocal treasures like

Bill Henderson

vocals
1926 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Henderson and

Daryl Sherman

vocals
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Daryl Sherman that certainly qualify and deserve a listen; and, more than likely, a few Mercer-centric programs lost in the shadows of history or hiding in plain sight. But when you consider the breadth and depth of his work—he wrote lyrics for well over a thousand songs, put music to paper for more than a few of them, and brought many to life with his inimitable vocals—the number of Mercer tribute albums out there seems rather small. That's just one reason why it's so nice to see bassist-vocalist Kristin Korb dipping into the Mercer well for her latest effort.

With Beyond The Moon, Korb acknowledges Mercer's classic contributions, his partnerships with a variety of top-notch tunesmiths, his foundling lyrics, and the completeness of artistry in his work. In doing so, Korb shines in much the same way that Mercer did, packaging her many skills together. She's long been praised for her dual talents as bassist and vocalist, but her gifts as arranger, composer, and interpreter shouldn't be overlooked. All of it comes together beautifully across these eleven songs.

Korb and her simpatico trio mates—pianist

Magnus Hjorth

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Magnus Hjorth and drummer

Snorre Kirk

drums
b.1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Snorre Kirk—kick off the program with an appropriately cheery "Too Marvelous For Words" that swings and delights. A stop-and-shift-on-a-dime crispness is evident in the music from the get-go, as is ingenuity in the arranging. Solo breaks, stops, scat singing, hits, and shifts in feel from 4/4 swing to a buoyant waltz feel and back again are all part of this well-formed opener. Hjorth's take on "Baby, Don't You Quit Now"—a collaboration between Mercer and jazz piano great

Jimmy Rowles

piano
1918 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Rowles—follows, providing immediate contrast. It's a mellow swinger that's fairly direct in presenting its musical intentions. Then there's

Otmaro Ruiz

keyboards
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Otmaro Ruiz's Brazilian-flavored arrangement of "Something Tells Me (I'm Falling In Love)," complete with a burning solo from Hjorth; a bluesier-than-usual "Midnight Sun," intoxicating to the ear; and a "Jeepers Creepers" that cooks, plays with phrasing, puts everybody in the spotlight, and highlights Kirk's brushwork.

The literal midpoint of the album—Korb and Hjorth's "Twilight"—is a marked departure from what comes before it. It's a staid offering that moves with a semi-classical bearing, and the first of two originals that hold no connection to the man of the hour. The bossa-tinged, Korb-penned title track is the other one.

The four other numbers on the program all turn back toward Mercer and his history. "I'm Old Fashioned," pointing to his work with

Jerome Kern

arranger
1895 - 1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Jerome Kern, finds Kirk's brushes dancing with delight; "Moon River," born of the marriage of Mercer's words and

Henry Mancini

composer / conductor
1924 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Henry Mancini's music, provides a mellow respite; and "Here You Are" and "Right Under My Eyes" dress Mercer's previously-unused lyrics in new music that works like a charm.

Korb could've played it safe by simply filling an album with old Mercer classics done up in rote fashion, but she didn't. Instead, she sought to give a fuller picture of the man by putting her own skill set(s) to the test. It paid off in the end. Beyond The Moon is beyond great.

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Track Listing

Too Marvelous For Words; Baby Don��t You Quit Now; Something Tells Me; Midnight Sun; Jeepers Creepers; Twilight; I��m Old Fashioned; Beyond the Moon; Here You Are; Moon River; Right Under My Eyes.

Personnel

Kristin Korb

bass

Kristin Korb: bass & vocals; Magnus Hjorth: piano; Snorre Kirk: drums.

Album information

Title: Beyond the Moon | Year Released: 2016 | Record Label: DoubleK Music

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Kristin Korb Concerts

Sep 26 Fri

Kristin Korb Trio: Eurythmics Vs. Jazz

BIX Jazzclub
Stuttgart, Germany

Sep 27 Sat

Kristin Korb Trio Ft. Craig Handy: Jazz Vs. Eurythmics

Jazz Bar Vogler
Munich, Germany

Sep 29 Mon

Kristin Korb Trio: Eurythmics Vs. Jazz

Ella & Louis
Mannheim, Germany

Oct 8 Wed

Kristin Korb

Coiled Wines
Garden City, ID

Oct 11 Sat

Rocky Mountain Jazz Collective Ft. Kristin Korb

Lockwood Performing Arts Center
Lockwood, MT

Oct 15 Wed

Kristin Korb Trio (ft. Dawn Clement And Jim White)

The Muse Performance Space
Lafayette, CO

Oct 18 Sat

Kristin Korb Trio

Let It Be
Waukesha, WI

Oct 23 Thu

Kristin Korb

Winter's Jazz Club
Chicago, IL

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