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Charu Suri: Lollipops for Breakfast

By Dan McClenaghan
March 3, 2019
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It is a funny word, "lollipop." A melodious roll of the tongue terminated by two percussive "P" sounds separated by one puff of air, ended by another. A musical word, occasionally showing up as an integral part of a song: "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows," Leslie Gore's 1963 pop hit; 1958's "Lollipop" by the Chordettes; 1956's "My Boy Lollipop" from Barbie Gayle; "My Girl Lollipop," a 1982 recording by the group Bad Manners; and not forgetting "On The Good Ship Lollipop," Shirley Temple's signature song from the 1934 movie Bright Eyes.

And now pianist

Charu Suri

piano
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Charu Suri titles her debut album, and the set's title tune, Lollipops For Breakfast, a tip of the hat to her daughter's request for an unconventional start-of-the-day meal. It is a tune that speaks to the child in us all. It is playful; it struts with a youthful glee; it boogie woogies with an insouciant elan. It is a first-rate jazz tune that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Suri's twenty-five minute, mostly originals piano-trio EP embraces a lot a moods, beginning with the Indian-tinged opener, "Raga Tala," that sounds timeless and rhythmically insistent; the melancholy "Ballad;" the spiritual "Brahma Vishnu Shiva," featuring flutist Crispian Fordham; the crisp, energetic "Make It Snappy."

Suri includes one standard on the set, Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness Of You," beautifully laid down, at a pace to be savored, followed by the closer, the lush and lighthearted "Swing," to wrap up this exceptionally fine debut.

The outcome of that provocative breakfast request? It remains uncertain.

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Track Listing

Raga Tala; Lollipops for Breakfast; Ballad; Brahma Vishnu Shiva; Make it Snappy; The Nearness of You; Swing.

Personnel

Charu Suri

piano

Charu Suri: piano; J. Brunka: bass; Jay O'Brien: drums; Crispian Fordham: flute (4).

Album information

Title: Lollipops for Breakfast | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Amala Records

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