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  | TINA MAY ~ A WING AND A PRAYER
33 RECORDS 134 (Barcode: 5020883336343) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2005 - 2006 Released: 2006
This is a wonderful album by British Jazz vocalist Tina MayFind albums by this artist, recorded in a minimalist setting with saxophonist / flautist Stan SultzmannFind albums by this artist and pianist Nikki IlesFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, six of which were recorded in a studio and five were recorded live. Some of the tracks are duos with Sultzmann or Iles and others are trios, with both instrumentalists present, all arranged by Iles. Most of the tracks are standards, but two tracks (one by Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and another one by Joe HendersonFind albums by this artist) are originally instrumentals, with lyrics written by May.
As stated on the album’s liner notes, all the songs are deeply personally emotional to May, which is plainly evident by the way she performs them, and the intimate setting is ideal to reveal the emotional depth. As a result, this particular album, one of quite a few May has recorded during her lifetime, is my favorite recording of hers. It is not only the most immediate experience, but I think it is the Jazziest one, where she is absolutely in the epicenter of the music, amicably and intelligently supported by the two great musicians, who do not take away any of the limelight, but manage to shine some of their own upon her.
Tina’s tragic and way premature death of May in 2022 left a big empty space in British vocal Jazz, and the only consolation is her recorded legacy, mostly released on 33 RecordsFind albums on this label, which we can always return to, in hour of need.
Overall, this is a beautiful vocal Jazz album, by a highly talented singer, which is full of great music as well as unusually deep emotions and brilliant instrumental work by two of Britain’s best instrumentalists. When times get really blue, this is one of the records I put on…
| | Updated: 21/04/2025Posted: 21/04/2025 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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