Lorraine Feather—Café Society

(Sanctuary 06076-84597-2)

I sometimes cringe when I hear instrumental songs to which people have added lyrics. Many vocalese versions of tunes end up being about the person who wrote the song; while that may have been cool at first, it gets old after a while.

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Lorraine Feather has not fallen into that trap. As with her previous release, New York City Drag, which put lyrics to Fats Waller originals, Feather adds the words to music on twelve songs on her terrific new album, Café Society. A few tunes are classics, like Ellington's "We're Rockin' in Rhythm" and "Creole Love Call", or Charlie Barnet's "The Right Idea", but most are compositions by contemporary musicians. Highlights for me include the title track, written with Russell Ferrante; "The Speed of Light", music by Johnny Mandel; and the downright catchy Eddie Arkin and Feather composition "Big Fun".

Feather's clear, soft voice is impeccable throughout, and the material is wonderful. As a lyricist, she's top notch.

After hearing so many albums of the same shopworn standards, it's downright exciting to hear an album of so many great new tunes performed so beautifully. If your station passed on New York City Drag, you missed the boat. Don't miss out on Café Society, which will no doubt be one of the freshest vocal releases you'll hear all year.