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Thisbe Vos: Under Your Spell

By C. Michael Bailey
April 24, 2013
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First, there is that name...

Thisbe Vos

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Thisbe Vos. It is not merely exotic; it is something much more than that, something mythic. Dutch-born, living the dream in America's land of Milk and Honey—LA—Vos, by her looks, voice, repertoire, composing...demands attention, and gets it without ever raising her voice. Her debut, two years percolating, Under Your Spell is a fully realized throwback that doesn't sound a day over the rainbow. Made up of five standards and six smacking, swinging originals, Under Your Spell goes a long way towards blowing on the coals of mainstream jazz vocals.

Vos' compositions fit seamlessly with the standards. "Shanghai Blues" is a breezy 12-bar-walking romp Sinatra would have loved. It is perfectly seasoned with

Geoff Nudell

clarinet

" data-original-title="" title="">Geoff Nudell's tart clarinet playing. The ballad title piece with lightly accented strings recalls

Nelson Riddle

arranger
1921 - 1985

" data-original-title="" title="">Nelson Riddle and

Billy May

composer / conductor
1916 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy May, Vos sings with a voice of silk and champagne,

Carl Randall

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Carl Randall's tenor saxophone providing a nice obligato. "That's Alright With Me" perfectly segues out of the Van Heusen/Mercer classic "I Thought About You," again complemented by Randall's throaty tenor.

The stand-out instrumentalist is Nudell whose reed range is broad and wide. He adds a slight sepia tone to the music without making it sound archaic. Vos turns out to be the total performance package. Within the thick stream of "traditional" jazz vocalists, one that is clotted with such a quantity of talent, Vos rises to the top. She entered a brutal creative market and topped it all in a single recording of such grace and personality, that this year is unlikely to see a mainstream vocal offering as fine again.

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Track Listing

1. Shanghai Blues (Thisbe Vos) - 2:29; 2. Under Your Spell (Thisbe Vos) - 5:02; 3. I Thought About You (Jimmy Van Heusen/ Johnny Mercer) - 3:26; 4. That's All Right With Me (Thisbe Vos) - 4:54; 5. I Need You (Thisbe Vos) - 3:29; 6. Round Midnight (Thelonius Monk/Bernie Hanighen) - 3:07; 7. He's A Tramp (Peggy Lee/Sonny Burke) - 2:56; 8. Now You Are Here (Thisbe Vos) - 4:50; 9. Just A Fool Over You (Thisbe Vos) - 4:29; 10. Rue de la Huchette (Thisbe Vos) - 3:35; 11. Always (Irving Berlin) - 5:14; 12. Ain't Misbehavin' (Fats Waller/Harry Brooks/ Andy Razaf) - 2:34

Personnel

Thisbe Vos

vocals

Gary Matsumoto

piano

Henry Franklin

bass

Donald Dean

drums

Nolan Shaheed

trumpet

Carl Randall

saxophone, tenor

Geoff Nudell

clarinet

Michael Higgins

guitar

The Pasadena String Ensemble played string arrangements on three songs (arrangements by Jim McMillen). Geoff Nudell additionally played alto clarinet, bass clarinet, flute and alto flute.

Album information

Title: Under Your Spell | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Prime Productions

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