VerPlanck, Marlene
Audiophile, 2004, CD
Instrument: Female Vocals
Issue: 10.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Ballads, Blues
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score:
O’s Notes: The music really swings courtesy of a strong band featuring Chihiro Yamanaka (p), Anat Cohen (sax, cl), Karolina Strassmayer (sax), Sherrie Maricle (d), Barbara Laronga (t) and Norika Ueda (b). These women are all from the Diva Jazz Orchestra and provide a wealth of support and solos for Marlene. In front of the rhythm is VerPlanck with well-articulated vocals. They play 16 songs that range in tempo from slower ballads like “Be Careful, It’s My Heart” to upbeat classics like Cole Porter’s “Easy To Love”. Marlene’s husband Billy who also wrote two new compositions freshly arranged all of the songs. Our favorite is “Save Your Love For Me”.