Album Review: Sweet Invitation from Beverley Church Hogan

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Album:  Sweet Invitation
Artist:  Beveley Church Hogan
Label:  Café Pacific Records
Website:  www.beverleychurchhogan.com

Jazz vocalists like the sassy 92 year old Sheila Jordan and the peppy 86 year old Beverley Church Hogan never quite reach their prime.  They go on and on, always resonating an opulence and loftiness in their vocals that is ageless.  Hogan's sophomore effort Sweet Invitation is produced by Mark Winkler and arranged by John Proulx, and sees her imbuing emotion into the lyrics without being melodramatic.  The balance she achieves gives the tracks a genuine human quality that enables audiences to relate to her instantly.

Hogan applies the smokey texture of her timbres to a selection of romantic songs from the Great American Songbook like the slow, contemplative stride she uses on "Here's That Rainy Day," penned by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke, as the rhumba sway shrouds her vocals in a soft light with the bright flicker of her voice steering the track along its course.  The quintessential leading lady, Hogan discernibly recognizes when to lay back and when to drive the melody, exhibiting exemplary instincts in her rendition of "I Got Lost In His Arms," written by Irving Berlin.

The balmy atmosphere of "Invitation" supports the jaunty rhythm of Hogan's vocal melody, creating an intimacy with the audience.  Her animated phrasing along "I'm Just Foolin' Myself" engages the listener to react to the feelings being projected in the lyrics.  The poignant breaks in her singing give listeners moments to mull over her words and reflect over the emotions being revealed in the lyrics like in Johnny Mercer's epic tune "When October Goes" as she contemplates, "That same old dream appears / and I am in your arms / to share the happy years / I turn my head away to hide the helpless tears / how I hate to see October go."

Her vocal style affects listeners, touching them emotionally and soothing their soul with a sensitivity that is palpable.  Sweet Invitation follows her 2019 debut release Can’t Get Out of This Mood.  Hogan's latest effort packs in alot of swing-inspired history as well as her own contributions to the genre, keeping jazz vocals relevant and emotively potent.

Musicians:
Beverley Church Hogan - vocals
John Proulx - piano
Bob Sheppard - saxophone
Grant Geissman - guitar
Lyman Medeiros - bass
Clayton Cameron - drums
Dean Koba - drums
Kevin Winard - percussion

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