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Lori Carsillo: Sugar and Smoke

By Edward Blanco
June 14, 2014
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San Francisco Bay Area songbird Lori Carsillo provides us with her third solo vocal album Sugar and Smoke, presenting modern versions of familiar jazz standards from the '60s, featuring a host of first-rate musicians from the Bay Area's vibrant jazz scene. Carsillo offers a light soft-toned session of vocal jazz enhanced by her sultry hushed-styled vocal approach that draws the listener in and keeps one engaged. No real swinging pieces or loud outbursts here, this material is delivered with a measure of warmth backed up by excellent instrumentals including sharp solos that make this musical endeavor, a complete jazz package.

The Bergman composition "Cinnamon & Clove," made famous by

Sergio Mendes

piano
1941 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Sergio Mendes and his bossa arrangement, kicks off the music in style featuring

Riley Bandy

" data-original-title="" title="">Riley Bandy's superb saxophone solo and Dave Baker's backup vocals spicing up the music. Pianist

Adam Shulman

piano
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Adam Shulman accompanies the singer on the Maxwell/Smith standard "Grass Is Greener" as the light bossa nova-styled "Moon and Sand" highlights Carsillo's hushed vocal approach as well as offering Shulman more instrumental solo space in a delightful interpretation of the standard.

One of the highlights of the recording, is this version of

Bobby Troup

piano
1918 - 1999

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Troup's humorous "Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast" enhanced by splendid instrumental support from guitarist Jay Stapleton and Bandy's saxophone voice. Just as good but on the romantic side of the music, Carsillo' sultry delivery is perfect for the love song, "Live for Life" with soft vibes provided by

Smith Dobson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Smith Dobson capping off the classic. Staying in romantic mode, the vocalist sensuous approach of the

Burt Bacharach

composer / conductor
1928 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Burt Bacharach staple, "The Look of Love," is more proof that this singer can tenderize a tune with the best of them.

There's practically no swing on this album except her interpretation of "Comin' Home Baby," one of the more upbeat perky tunes of the set. The familiar "Old Devil Moon" gets an all-new treatment from the singer as does the

Cole Porter

composer / conductor
1891 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Cole Porter classic "In the Still of the Night" with a little help from cymbal accents from drummer James Gallagher, crisp key work from Shulman and Dobson's stellar vibraphone. The program ends on another rendition of Tucker's "Comin' Home Baby" except this time, Carsillo is joined by vocalist Baker who answers each of the leader's vocal statements with a lyrical salvo of his own.

Lori Carsillo's sampling of delicious light vocal jazz, provides a musical dish of far more sweets than fiery smoking material. Nevertheless, Carsillo's unique soft vocal style and approach, serves to shine new light on a selection of time-honored jazz standards revived once again, this time, with a little Sugar and Smoke.

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Track Listing

Cinnamon & Clove; Grass Is Greener; Moon and Sand; The Thrill is Gone; In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning; Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast; Live for Life; Comin' Home Baby; Old Devil Moon; The Look of Love; In the Still of the Night; Comin' Home Baby Reprise.

Personnel

Lori Carsillo

Lori Carsillo: vocals; Adam Shulman: piano; Mike Bordelon: bass; James Gallagher: drums; Smith Dobson: vibes (7, 10, 11); Riley Bandy: saxophone (1, 6, 8-10, 12); Jay Stapleton: guitar; Dave Baker: vocals (1, 12).

Album information

Title: Sugar and Smoke | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Self Produced

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