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Mary Foster Conklin: These Precious Days

By Pierre Giroux
March 12, 2023
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Mary Foster Conklin

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Mary Foster Conklin is a New York-based singer with an eclectic approach to the choices she makes in deciding upon a repetoire for her fifth release, These Precious Days. Unafraid to step outside the nine dots, she has focussed the project on lesser-known jazz and popular compositions by predominately female songwriters. Joining Conklin are a number of top shelf New York musicians including pianist and arranger

John di Martino

piano
b.1959

" data-original-title="" title="">John di Martino, violinist

Sara Caswell

violin

" data-original-title="" title="">Sara Caswell, bassist

Ed Howard

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Ed Howard, drummer

Vince Cherico

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Vince Cherico, guitarist

Guilherme Monteiro

guitar
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Guilherme Monteiro and percussionist

Samuel Torres

percussion
b.1976

" data-original-title="" title="">Samuel Torres.

The session opens with "Summertime." This is not the

George Gershwin

composer / conductor
1898 - 1937

" data-original-title="" title="">George Gershwin classic, but rather has lyrics that are unmistakably from the pen of the Canadian poet and iconic songwriter

Leonard Cohen

vocals
1934 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Leonard Cohen. Conklin delivers them with panache and resonance. "Just A Little Lovin'" by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil trips along in singular fashion with Conklin covering the importance of the simple things in life message with an earthy charm. Di Martino and Caswell offer well thought out interjections.

For an interesting change of pace, the Dory and Andr�� Previn number "Just For Now" is set to a samba beat led by guitarist Guilherme Monteiro and percussionist Samuel Torres, who keep the fire stoked. Conklin covers the number with brisk proficiency and tasteful restraint. The sardonic and hip songwriter /pianist

Dave Frishberg

piano
1933 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Frishberg hooked up with pianist

Alan Broadbent

piano
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Alan Broadbent to pen "Heart's Desire." Conklin inhabits this story of love and longing without rigidity or stifling nostalgia.

The final two cuts are more recognizable compositions. The first is

Buffy Sainte-Marie

" data-original-title="" title="">Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Until It's Time For You To Go" and then the Kurt Weill/Maxwell Anderson popular standard "September Song." Conklin delivers the first with a strong lyrical footing and evocative coloration. On the second, sympathetically supported by Di Martino and Caswell, she reaches out on an emotional level to deliver a rendition filled with unhurried revelation.

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Track Listing

Summertime; Some Cats Know; Just a Little Lovin'; Come in From the Rain; Scars; Just For Now; A Little White Ship; Heart's Desire; Rainbow; Until It's Time for You To Go; September Song.

Personnel

Mary Foster Conklin

vocals

John di Martino

piano

Sara Caswell

violin

Ed Howard

bass

Vince Cherico

drums

Guilherme Monteiro

guitar

Samuel Torres

percussion

Album information

Title: These Precious Days | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Mock Turtle Music

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