Just as I was concluding one album review, an email from vocalist Louise Alexandra, based in the Netherlands, popped into my inbox asking if I would consider publishing a few words on her latest album release Crazy World of Love. The email was so nicely written it would have been churlish for me to refuse. So, here we go.
Too Late Now is a lightly swinging jazz number, written by Burton Lane, that eases the listener into the album with good solos from saxophonist Jan Menu and pianist Rob van Bayel. I think on All My Tomorrows Louise’s vocals are more assured than on the opening number and give a better indication of what is to come on this album. Marcel Serierse does an excellent job on the drums, while Rob van Bayel shows why Louise Alexandra chose to have him accompany her from the piano.
Castle In The Air is the first of the original compositions that pepper Crazy World of Love. This number is a very good jazz ballad with music by Rob van Bavel and lyrics from Louise Alexandra. Louise’s phrasing is very good throughout as is her connection with the words. Angel of Mine is another very good tune, this time from Emmet Cohen, with added lyrics from Louise Alexandra. However, two things make this number stand out: the warm toned flugelhorn playing of Benny Benack III and the silky rich R&B style vocals also from Benny.
Some Other Time / We’ll Be Together Again is a wonderfully paced union of two songs addressing the passing of time. This is great jazz music with a wonderful sax section, very good piano accompaniment and equally good rhythm backing from bassist Frans Geest. The two songs blend very well and Louise’s delivery is full of empathy and understanding. Another blended number is track twelve, Hershey Bar / Little Did I Dream, and is, for me, the album’s standout offering. The track has a light bounce to it, is bright and Louise’s delivery has a jaunty quality that I found infectious – plus the nice nod to It’s Only A Paper Moon by saxophonist Jan Menu thrown in for good measure.
The album closes with Someone and the interaction between pianist Rob van Bayel and guitarist Vincent Koning works very well here along with composed backing from bassist Frans van Geest. The guitar contrasts well with the voice, adding another texture to the overall sound without dominating. Louise Alexandra’s vocals here are very sure footed with excellent intonation, diction, and tonal variation – in my opinion, that description could be applied across the entire album.
I enjoyed Crazy World of Love both musically and lyrically. Louise Alexandra comes across as a singer who invests something of herself in her work and whose phrasing, timing and tonal colours all add to well composed numbers with very good lyrics. I would happily sit in a jazz bar one evening to hear music like this; music that is simply good jazz sung and played by musicians who understand the genre, and know how to deliver it with emotional attachment, delicacy of touch, and creativity.
Tracklist: 01 – Too Late Now; 02 – All My Tomorrows; 03 – Castle In The Sky; 04 – East Of The Sun; 05 – The Summer Knows; 06 – Heart’s Desire; 07 – Angel Of Mine; 08 – Crazy World Of Love; 09 – Some Other Time / We’ll Be Together Again; 10 – We Had It All; 11 – You Go To My Head; 12 – Hershey Bar / Little Did I Dream; 13 – Someone.
Full song lyrics by Louise Alexandra tracks 3, 7, 10 & 13.
Vocalese lyrics: track 4 by Ineke Heijliger & Louise Alexandra; tracks 8 & 12 by Louise Alexandra.
Additional lyrics by Louise Alexandra on track 9.
Musicians: Louise Alexandra (vocals), Benny Benack III (vocals & flugelhorn on track 7), Rob van Bavel (piano). Frans van Geest (bass), Vincent Koning (guitar), Jan Menu (baritone & tenor saxophone on tracks 1, 6, 9 & 12), Marcel Serierse (drums & percussion on tracks 2, 3 5 – 8, 10 & 11).
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