Paul McCartney’s songs will be in the spotlight once again, thanks to guitarist John Pizzarelli. Concord Records will release Midnight McCartney on Sept. 11. The album will feature jazz arrangements of McCartney’s compositions, focusing predominantly on the post-Beatles period. Notable tracks include “Love In The Open Air” (from the soundtrack to the 1967 film The Family Way), “Junk,” “Warm And Beautiful” and “My Valentine,” from the 2012 album Kisses On The Bottom (Hear Music).

For all those The Carpenters lovers, Ms. Parrott hands out a "Ticket To Ride" back to a simpler time when Karen and Richard Carpenter were spreading the love through melodious tunes and meaningful lyrics. Australia-born Ms. Parrott began her musical path as a piano and flute player, but soon settled on double bass as her forte. On Yesterday Once More: The Carpenters Song Book, she provide both bass and vocals, alongside Ken Peplowski, John Di Martino, Frank Vignola and Alvin Atkinson.

This Arbors CD is vocalist/string bassist Nicki Parrott’s interpretation of songs associated with late vocalist/pianist Blossom Dearie. It’s interesting to compare and contrast these two talented vocalist-instrumentalists. They both have unique, clear vocal delivery and subtle tones.

Nicki Parrott plays bass and sings Nat King Cole’s songbook with the help of fellow jazzmates John Di Martino on piano, Frank Vignola on guitar and Lisa Parrott on saxophone and clarinet. Born in Newcastle, Australia, Nicki started her musical training at age four with the piano, followed by the flute, soon after. Nicki switched to double bass at the age of 15. After graduating high school she moved to Sydney to study jazz at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music where she began to play with Australian musicians such as Mike Nock, Dale Barlow, Paul Grabowsky, Bernie McGann, and Ten Part Invention. She also toured Australia with Russian musicians Daniel Kramer and Alexander Fischer and American trumpeters Bobby Shew and Chuck Findley. She continued her studies with various bassists including visiting artists Ray Brown and John Clayton.

Характерный хрипящий голос - что-то среднее между Клептоном и Би-Би-Кингом. Но самое главное - это эмоции. То, чего было сложно ожидать от непробиваемого героя боевиков - поет Стивен крайне выразительно. Интонационные пассажи - как вокальные, так и инструментальные, вкупе с задорными словами делают альбом необычайно живым и актуальным. Это не похоже на песни стареющей звезды, желающей сказать: «Смотрите, а еще я на машинке умею и крестиком могу». Это реальное творчество, которое, повторюсь, гораздо интереснее фильмов Сигала.