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"Patrice Williamson gets out of the starting blocks on My Shining Hour with tremendous speed, focus, and energy. How many vocalists are there who can sing up tempo well? 100? How many who can sing a second, improvised up-tempo chorus using selected words from the lyrics? 30? How many who can sing virtuoso scat with the rhythm section? 15? And then, à la Coltrane, how many who can scat with the drums alone before taking it back out with guts and gusto? I know at least one! Patrice Williamson is in a class by herself on that account, and all this on just the first tune–Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer’s 'My Shining Hour'–coming in at just under three minutes. What a brilliant opener! Reminds me of Charlie Parker who, legend has it, used to burn on the first tune of the first set, smoking his rhythm section, then relax for the rest of the night. And relax is just what Williamson does: following the seldom-heard introduction, she slips into something more comfortable–Mei Sheum’s clever arrangement of Irving Berlin’s 'Blue Skies.' Patrice treats her scat chorus like a real solo, mindful of the (Holi)days when horn players listened to vocalists and vice versa. Helen Sung makes a nice contribution on piano as well. I’ve yet to hear a better writer of contemporary songs than Stevie Wonder. Williamson’s treatment of Wonder’s 'Overjoyed' is breathtakingly beautiful, bringing a fresh interpretation to this familiar tune without ever forgetting what made it so attractive in the first place. Mark Shilansky is to be congratulated on this arrangement. Trumpeter Phil Grenadier has some solo space here while the rhythm section cooks up on a nicely-flavored bossa. Next up is a very enjoyable ballad by Tadd Dameron and Carl Sigman, 'If You Could See Me Now.' Interestingly, part of the melody is the same as the 9th and 10th bar of Miles’ 'Four,' and Helen Sung tosses in a subtle reference to Dameron’s 'Lady Bird' at the end. Williamson sings it very well, especially on the bridge. The Dameron tune is followed by a chestnut, the Gerswins’ 'Fascinatin’ Rhythm' arranged by Helen Sung. Grenadier solos effectively, with nice energy and long, flowing bop lines, and Helen Sung proceeds to show off her Bud Powell technique as well before Williamson takes it back out… The CD ends as it begins, with a reprise of 'My Shining Hour,' and does it ever shine again! There are a number of winning songs here–'My Shining Hour,' 'Blue Skies,' 'Overjoyed,' 'If You Could See Me Now,' 'Wail,' 'P.S. I Love You'–more than enough to sustain a brilliant album… Patrice Williamson's vocal style is mature, deep, and true...[She] has an astonishing vocal command and flexibility..." –Don Glasgo, |
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