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Giacomo Gates: YOU
Giacomo Gates
vocalsAs a jazz singer, Gates has historically been in a sumptuous love affair with words. On over a dozen albums he's demonstrated that he's a "vocalese" vizier and scat-singing jongleur. On this album—arguably his best effort to date—he and a very involved rhythm section run through "You" tunes in an experience that brings to mind a time when lyrics had a more poetic aspect and pungency; when a vocalist fronting a rhythm trio was a most common format, and when track lengths were produced within strict time limits.
Gates launches the session with an up-tempo take on "Exactly Like You" with surprise contrafacts and scat. His rhythmic play with melody parlayed with his shrewdly toying with a lyric's presentation is at the forefront on "How Could I Know About You" and "It Had to Be You." His takes on "I Want to Talk About You," "P.S. I Love You" demo the vocalist's dynamic range and ability to wring emotional juice from a ballad's lyric.
Thelonious Monk
piano1917 - 1982
While there are well-known GAS workhorses here, additional gems emanate from You that haven't been heard in ages, i.e., "Are You Havin' Any Fun?" and
Ray Charles
piano and vocals1930 - 2004
The dynamic rhythm section is completely tied into Gates' energies and buys in whole hoagie. They're obviously having a ball. Pianist Tim Ray is outstanding, ghosting Gates and slyly answering and feeding the leader with great taste and flair. Bassist John Lockwood is rock- solidly swinging throughout. Drummer James Lattini is hands-down the perfect trio presence. When Gates, as he frequently does, toys with the time or throws in melody-altered triplets, the entire section embraces and joins the parade.
Rest assured this effort is no novelty. There's everything here that ultimately results in a most enjoyable experience. Simply put: You is an ideal way to cure your cabin fever, COVID Blues, or whatever ails you. ">
Track Listing
Exactly Like You; I Can’t Give You Anything But Love; With Plenty of Money and You; I Didn’t Know About You; The Nearness of You; It Had to Be You; I Thought About You; I Want to Talk About You; I Mean You; P.S. I Love You; Are You Havin’ Any Fun?; I Remember You; You’re Blasé; Everything But You; You’ve Changed; Since I Fell for You; I’ve Got News for You; You Never Miss the Water ‘Till the Well Runs Dry.
Personnel
Album information
Title: YOU | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Savant Records
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