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Judy Whitmore: Isn't It Romantic

By Jack Bowers
October 26, 2022
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Sometimes it is a pleasure to listen to an album simply because the quality of the music is so consistently gratifying. And if the music is sung as well as

Judy Whitmore

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Judy Whitmore sings it on Isn't It Romantic, well, that is icing on the cake, as are the superb performances by her supporting cast, especially pianist

Tamir Hendelman

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Tamir Hendelman and saxophonist

" data-original-title="" title="">Rickey Woodard.

The music is taken for the most part from the Great American Songbook, and much of it is performed at a medium to slow tempo, which suits Whitmore's sultry delivery to a T. Her grasp of emotional substance is superior, her timing impeccable, her warm mid-range voice steady and clear as a bell. To affirm that Whitmore brings out the best in every one of these songs would be a completely accurate summation. As to the songs, they include such enduring gems as "It Could Happen to You," "I Remember You," "You Go to My Head," "The Nearness of You," "Speak Low," "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," "But Beautiful" and of course, "Isn't It Romantic" (including the seldom-heard verse and an ardent solo by Woodard on alto).

Whitmore also sings

Peter Nero

piano
b.1934

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Nero's "Sunday in New York," Barry Mann/Cynthia Weill's "Just a Little Lovin,'"

Ray Charles

piano and vocals
1930 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Ray Charles' "Hallelujah I Love Him So" and (with guest vocalist Peisha McPhee) Buddy DeSylva/Lew Brown/Ray Henderson's "The Birth of the Blues." For comparison's sake, Whitmore edges close to

Frank Sinatra

vocals
1915 - 1998

" data-original-title="" title="">Frank Sinatra's definitive reading of "The Wee Small Hours," which is the highest praise a listener can bestow. Elsewhere, she holds her own against better-known versions of every tune, mostly by being unpretentious and letting the music speak for itself.

While Hendelman and Woodard are the most prominent soloists, there are engaging statements along the way by flutist

Lori Bell

flute

" data-original-title="" title="">Lori Bell, trumpeter

Mike Rocha

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Rocha, bassist

Alex Frank

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex Frank, and guitarists

Mitchell Long

guitar and vocals
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Mitchell Long and

Larry Koonse

guitar, electric

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Koonse. The rhythm section (Hendelman, Frank, drummer

Dean Koba

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Dean Koba) is bright and attentive. And even though it is Whitmore's voice that carries the day, there is far more to her than mere vocal chords. Aside from a solid career as a jazz and cabaret performer and recording artist, Whitmore—who is named for Judy Garland, a friend of her grandfather's at MGM Studios—is a best-selling novelist, a theatre producer, a therapist with a master's degree in clinical psychology, and a licensed commercial jet pilot who also rides horses and cans peaches.

Where does she find the time? That must remain Whitmore's secret. Listeners should be grateful that she found time to record Isn't It Romantic, as it is easily endorsed as one of the year's most impressive vocal albums.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

It Could Happen To You; I Remember You; Sunday In New York; You Go To My Head; The Nearness Of You; The Birth Of The Blues; Speak Low; Isn't It Romantic; In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning; But Beautiful; Just Little Loving'; Hallelujah I Love Him So.

Personnel

Judy Whitmore

vocals

Tamir Hendelman

piano

Lori Bell

flute

Rickey Woodard

saxophone, tenor

Mike Rocha

trumpet

Mitchell Long

guitar and vocals

Larry Koonse

guitar, electric

Alex Frank

bass

Dean Koba

drums

Brian Kilgore?

percussion

Album information

Title: Isn't It Romantic | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Arden House Music

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