CD Review: Come Home

Sounds of Timeless Jazz, Paula Edelstein: March 1, 2008

http://www.soundsoftimelessjazz.com/home.html

COME HOME is Carmen Lundy’s amazing follow up to her exceptional recording titled JAZZ AND THE NEW SONGBOOK: LIVE AT THE MADRID. The set features 12 songs written or co-written by Lundy with the exception of “Nature Boy.” Among her brilliant accompanists are bassist Curtis Lundy, Geri Allen on piano, Lori Andrews on harp, Jason Evan Brown on drums, Anthony Wonsey on piano and Fender Rhodes, Lage Lund on guitar, Mayra Casales on percussion and support vocals, Machan on support vocals and Steve Turre on conch shells and trombone. Carmen Lundy’s vocal rendition of “Nature Boy” is like the classic combination of fine wine and great music. Her melodic resonance, her tonality and the superior quality of her voice surrounded by an ensemble of talented musicians working as one is simply exceptional. Lundy realizes that much of her success relies on her art of collaboration and that is why her sets always ring true with outstanding artistic creations. Pianist Anthony Wonsey’s customized comping on “Come Home” is the descriptive prose that livens the superb lyrics of this song. Further into the set pianist Geri Allen is uncompromising with her expressive power and lends this beauty to Lundy’s dramatic vocals. Together, Allen and Lundy re-design the controversial and family-oriented themes they brilliantly present on “My Wedding Vow,” and “Something Happened Today.” “Lil Lu,” and of course the all-encompassing “Gossip” are also stellar examples of Lundy’s flair for creative phrasings and telling an interesting story. COME HOME is another superb documentation of Carmen Lundy’s keen sense of the vitality and power of her music. It will move her devout listeners and her new audiences in the same way that her previous poetic lyrics and expressive music brought the meaning of each song into focus. Buy COME HOME today.