Long Ago and Far Away: Kelly Harland Sings Jerome Kern

by Kelly Harland

Overview

With a full album dedicated to Jerome Kern's contributions to the Great American Songbook, it's not terribly surprising that Kelly Harland should come across as a bit of a torch singer. Luckily though, Harland's got stronger abilities than the average torch singer. Where so many female jazz singers try to spice up the songbook with a little power and show, or try to vamp up the songbook like Eartha Kitt followers, Harland simply sings with a straightforward approach and a sweet voice. Of course, the compositions themselves are all first-class, as one would expect with this kind of focus. The rhythm section (pianist Bill Mays and bassist Chuck Deardorf) provides able accompaniment, with a streak of outstanding exploration here and there (just wait for the solos from both in "The Song Is You"). For fans of female jazz vocalists who are just a bit tired of the standard lounge-based torch singer, Kelly Harland should provide an excellent reprieve, with more sensitivity to the lyrics and the music itself. Paying proper respect to the music rather than strong-arming the songs just to show off pays off beautifully. ~ Adam Greenberg

Product Details

Release Date:	06/17/2008
Label:	Origin Records
UPC:	0805558250927
Rank:	177241

Tracks

1. I'm Old-Fashioned
2. Look for the Silver Lining
3. The Folks Who Live on the Hill
4. Yesterdays
5. Long Ago (And Far Away)
6. Don't Ever Leave Me
7. The Song Is You
8. Can I Forget You/Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
9. Make Believe
10. All the Things You Are

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kelly Harland   Primary Artist,Vocals
Chuck Deardorf   Primary Artist,Bass
Bill Mays   Primary Artist,Piano

Technical Credits

Chuck Deardorf   Producer,Audio Production
Jerome Kern   Composer
Garey Shelton   Mixing,Engineer
Ed Brooks   Mastering
Ira Gershwin   Composer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Reed Ruddy   Engineer
Otto Harbach   Composer
Buddy DeSylva   Composer
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
Rosanne Olson   Photography
Jim Bredouw   Engineer