Boswell Sisters-like vintage harmony flavours from vocal trio Amy Cervini, Hilary Gardner and Melissa Stylianou – collectively Duchess – who debut with, yes Duchess (Anzic Records ***1/2) released in the US on 17 February.
With unschmaltzy lively arrangements mostly by Oded Lev-Ari Duchess was recorded in a New York studio in April last year, the album opening convincingly with Peggy Lee/Bill Schluger song ‘I Love Being Here With You,’ drummer Matt Wilson’s tantalising swung beat buoying the treatment.
‘Que Sera Sera,’ very unDoris Day-like, is taken slow in an early highlight, and Michael Cabe on piano, a swinging presence throughout, provides the appropriately tinkling touch on the opening to reluctant-lover ditty ‘My Brooklyn Love Song,’ which is beautifully sung.
Light and frothy as a rule (Cy Coleman’s ‘A Doodlin’ Song’ providing this element most obviously) there’s a clear cabaret side to the album and room for a bit of dancing yet the jazz vibe is sufficiently loose and true for comfort too. A fun listen.
Stephen Graham
A live version of Boyd Atkins’ ‘Heebie Jeebies,’ a song featured as the last track on Duchess, above