Album Review: Lemon Twist from Linda Carrone

Album:  Lemon Twist
Artist:  Linda Carrone
Website:  https://www.lindacarone.com
https://lindacarone.bandcamp.com

Roots music vocalist Linda Carrone once again charms audiences with her graceful style, feline phrasing and sultry vocalese on her 2023 release Lemon Twist.  A blues stylist reminiscent of vintage performers like Billie Holiday, Rosemary Clooney, and Peggy Lee, Carrone integrates the finery of jazz with the unpretentious melodicism of roots music embellished by a swig of Latin stimulants.    

Her repertoire focuses on forgotten gems, classic ballroom jazz, swing standards, and cabaret blues.  Her treatment of the title track, written by Bobby Troup, puts a flirtatious edge on her vocals that grabs the listener's attention as she percolates, "Here is a word to the wise / The top dieticians in town insist / The best source of vitamin C there can be / Is a lemon twist."  Changing to a sultry swagger along "Having It All," Carrone is supported by the smooth bass grooves of George Koller and the cat-like strut of the piano played by Jeremy Ledbetter.  She exhibits an instinct for delivering lyrics with gusto and charisma.  Dabbling in Latin swing, Carrone's rendition of "Mariguana Cha-Cha-Cha" is adorned in Cuban-tinted trimmings, bringing out a festive-slant in her vocalese.

 

Based in Toronto, Canada, Carrone's recreation of classic rarities sparkle naturally with her touch.   Being both playful and intimate, Carrone displays multi-facets in her delivery with a visceral quality to attract and hold her audience's attention.  

Musicians:
Linda Carrone - vocals
George Koller - bass
Luis Orbegoso - percussion
Jeremy Ledbetter - piano
Alexander Brown - trumpet
Ben Wittman - drums
Perry White - saxophone
Johnny Johnson - saxophone