Usine Resonance by Lisa Thorson NEUF

Tracks:
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Resonance
I Mean You
Nearness of You, The
But Not for Me
Mood Indigo
Five
Wondering Why
Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend
Punta dBlues
Dedication
Do Nothin Till You Hear from Me

Performer Notes:

• Personnel: Lisa Thorson (vocals); Cercie Miller (alto & tenor saxophones); Tim Ray (piano); Dave Clark (bass); George Schuller (drums).
• Recorded at PBS, Westwood, Massachusetts from January-June 1997. Includes liner notes by Jane Alexander.
• Personnel: Cercie Miller (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Tim Ray (piano); George Schuller (drums).
• Liner Note Author: Jane Alexander.
• Recording information: PBS, Westwood, MA (01/1997-06/1997).
• Editors: David Locke; George Schuller.
• Thorson, a vocalist from Boston, has a pliant, flexible, pretty voice with a childs fascination for the world, and displays the ultimate scatability. It allows her to do most anything. On this, her debut CD, she demonstrates a witty way of interpreting standards, offers a few high art originals, and allows listeners to hear her bold conception of what a modern jazz singer in full bloom can be. There are so many high points -- the opening salvo of modified phrasing and scat on the stunning "Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea," the soulful title track and a clever cross-melodic, superimposed version of Thelonious Monks "I Mean You." The middle of the disc leans toward the romantic, as on pristine versions of "The Nearness of You," saxophonist Cercie Millers feature "Mood Indigo," and the duet with drummer George Schuller on the heart-wrenching "But Not for Me." More chances are taken on the wordless version of the Bill Evans piece "Five," and the sprightly, stop-start, staggered, funky, quirky "Punta dBlues." Accompanying pianist Tim Ray (from Orange Then Blue) emerges as one of the most important new piano voices, while saxophonist Miller is a longtime collaborator with Thorson, and it shows. These two, Schuller and bassist Dave Clark, are as supportive and swinging as any singer might need. This is a remarkable recording from Thorson, even more so when you consider shes singing from a wheelchair (due to a severe spinal injury). Thorsons courage goes beyond the attempt at jazz interpretation, which takes a unique individual in the first place. Many aspects of her artistry are clearly evident, set at a very lofty level. Everyone should love this -- its one of the very best musical offerings of the year and an astonishing vocal document of the 90s. ~ Michael G. Nastos

Professional Reviews: JazzTimes (10/99, p.101) - "What a nice surprise! HEres a singer who uses her voice like an instrument, as part of the ensemble, in addition to singing the melody and lyrics and scat singing....a most impressive album."i

Producer: Lisa Thorson, George Schuller

Format: CD (1 Disc); Stereo

Country: USA

Studio/Live: Studio

Guest Artist: Cercie Miller; Tim Ray; George Schuller

Release Date: 3 September, 2003

Label: GM Recordings

Dimensions: 12.7 x 14.6 x 1.1 centimeters (0.09 kg)