Album Review: Spooky Jazz Vol. 2: Songs For Halloween from Hannah Gill
Album: Spooky Jazz Vol. 2: Songs for Halloween
Artist: Hannah Gill
Label: Turtle Bay Records
Website: http://www.hannahgillmusic.com
Facebook.com/HannahGillMusic
Turtlebayrecords.com
YouTube: @turtlebayrecords9686
IG: @turtlebayrecords
Jazz that once echoed from the depths of cabarets like Café Society, the Stork Club, 21 Club, the Cotton Club, 3 Deuces, and Club Carousel, some of which were located on Manhattan's 52nd Street dubbed Swing Street through the first half of the 20th century, are treated with a modern glint by vocalist-songwriter Hannah Gill. Her sophomore release Spooky Jazz Vol. 2: Songs for Halloween from Turtle Bay Records is a compilation of jazz standards, illustrating her affinity for boogie woogie, speakeasy swing, and ragtime rhapsodies.
Opening with "I'd Rather Be Burned As A Witch," Gill commands the performance with a flirty vocal strut backed by a boogie woogie groove. Terracciano's steamy rosining on the violin contours Webster's bobbing keys, creating a bloating effect that engulfs the listener in a spectacular fanfare.
The chorus line kicks of "My Man's An Underwear" suspend blazing toots played by Alexander and Davis then turn to moonlight embers as Gills's caressing vocals cradle "Love Is A Necessary Evil." Her feline voicing twinkles softly across "Humming To Myself," accentuated by a wistful guitar solo perched by sleek improvisations fr0m Davis, Alexander, and Terracciano.
Jazz fans might recall "Love, Your Spell is Everywhere" from the Curtis Fuller album, Bluesette, though Gill heard the tune from a 1929 record by Ben Selvin. The violin silhouettes provide a delicate backdrop for Gill's passionate vocals, demonstrating a depth reminiscent of Edith Piaf. Gill resounds the longing of a deep loss as the sullen tint of the organ gleams gently. producing a haunting effect. Midstream, the tempo changes to a hot jazz strut as the collective moves to a springy gait and frolicking pace accented by a gypsy whirl.
The swagger in Gill's vocals driving "Oogie Boogie's Song" has a charismatic howl waddling along a swinging arrangement. Gill turns up the emotional depth through "You Hurt Me." The warm, bluesy roasting of the guitar riffs is magnified by passionate solos from the horns. Moving into a Dixieland jazz crackle along "Hard Hearted Hannah" brimming with swaggering toots.
Gill shapes Harold Arlen's timeless melody "That Old Black Magic" into a speakeasy jazz romp garbed in bopping bass lines and flying horns. Shifting to a classic country-blues ambience along "Haunted House Blues," as Gill's vocals smooth to a creamy drawl showing facets of Ira and George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess."
"Shine On, Harvest Moon" is probably the oldest composition on the disc. The arrangement pivots to a country western tint in the guitar riffs, swathe in toddling bass lines and brushed drum strokes, closing the album in a romantic light.
Based in Bushwick, Brooklyn in New York City, Gill's Fall/Halloween theme release follows her debut recording Everybody Loves A Lover made available in September 2023. She has over 10 million streams on Spotify, and her YouTube videos have exceeded 22 million views. She has toured internationally with her own jazz band, Postmodern Jukebox, as well as performed with the Hot Toddies, The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra, and jazz pianist Gordon Webster.
Gill's affinity for cabaret-speakeasy jazz is potent. Her delivery exudes a fun and lively spirit that audiences will find irresistible.
Musicians:
Hannah Gill - vocals
Mike Davis - trumpet and trombone
Gabe Terracciano - violin
Ricky Alexander - clarinet and tenor saxophone
Gordon Webster - piano
Justin Poindexter - guitar
Philip Ambuel - bass
Ben Zweig - drums
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