Cabaret Scenes CD Review

Lissy Walker’s debut CD, Life Is Sweet, is a sweet treat. This is primarily a folk-jazz CD, although there’s an obvious country influence. Walker’s album is easy on the ears, bringing interesting new takes on well- and lesser-known songs. Her voice covers a nice gamut from sweet and innocent to strong and knowing, with an ever-present folk undertone.

Irving Berlin is an obvious favorite of Walker’s, featured three times on a CD of 12 songs. In fact, all three Berlin songs are questions—perhaps an odd coincidence??? “How Deep Is the Ocean” has a really lovely, slow swing to it, but what sets it apart from other versions is the really terrific cello (Philip Worman), which punctuates the song perfectly throughout. “What’ll I Do?” has a country waltz feel to it, which doesn’t quite work for me, but the innocence of Walker’s voice makes the lyric truly shine. My favourite Berlin, though, is “Isn’t This a Lovely Day (to Be Caught in the Rain)?,” which has a nice mellow groove, enhanced by a deliciously lazy trumpet (Steve Bernstein), terrific guitar accompaniment (Scott Nygaard) and a nice bass solo (Jon Evans).

Walker’s own arrangement of “Waters of March” (Antonio Carlos Jobim) takes this song into a style I’ve not heard before. Jobim’s song is usually heard with a driving rhythm. Walker’s version is more ethereal, which works musically and gives the song a wistful aura. Her over-dubbed vocal harmonies are also a nice addition.

“In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning” (David Mann, music/Bob Hilliard, lyrics) is a beautifully slow, simple and very moving ballad, where the clarity of Walker’s voice shines. Randy Newman is represented with a nice slow, blues version of “Let Me Go.” This is where the “knowing” quality of Walker’s voice comes through, but she never delves too far. Walker’s storytelling is particularly good in Raymond Douglas Davies' “Celluloid Heroes.”

The album begins with a nice trumpet solo, leading into pianist Jon R. Burr’s lovely bossa arrangement of “I Remember You” (Victor Schertzinger, music/Johnny Mercer, lyrics), and ends with a lovely ballad I’d never heard before, “Saturday Sun” (Nick Drake). Here, again, Walker tells the story simply and beautifully.

Walker and John Evans produced this CD. It was recorded in Berkeley, CA, where Walker lives. Throughout the CD, Walker had terrific support from the aforementioned musicians as well as Scott Amendola (drums).

Harold Sanditen
Cabaret Scenes
September 2011
www.cabaretscenes.org



	Lissy Walker Life Is Sweet Strawberry Canyon Records
Lissy Walker’s debut CD, Life Is Sweet, is a sweet treat. This is primarily a folk-jazz CD, although there’s an obvious country influence. Walker’s album is easy on the ears, bringing interesting new takes on well- and lesser-known songs. Her voice covers a nice gamut from sweet and innocent to strong and knowing, with an ever-present folk undertone. Irving Berlin is an obvious favorite of Walker’s, featured three times on a CD of 12 songs. In fact, all three Berlin songs are questions—perhaps an odd coincidence??? “How Deep Is the Ocean” has a really lovely, slow swing to it, but what sets it apart from other versions is the really terrific cello (Philip Worman), which punctuates the song perfectly throughout. “What’ll I Do?” has a country waltz feel to it, which doesn’t quite work for me, but the innocence of Walker’s voice makes the lyric truly shine. My favourite Berlin, though, is “Isn’t This a Lovely Day (to Be Caught in the Rain)?,” which has a nice mellow groove, enhanced by a deliciously lazy trumpet (Steve Bernstein), terrific guitar accompaniment (Scott Nygaard) and a nice bass solo (Jon Evans). Walker’s own arrangement of “Waters of March” (Antonio Carlos Jobim) takes this song into a style I’ve not heard before. Jobim’s song is usually heard with a driving rhythm. Walker’s version is more ethereal, which works musically and gives the song a wistful aura. Her over-dubbed vocal harmonies are also a nice addition. “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning” (David Mann, music/Bob Hilliard, lyrics) is a beautifully slow, simple and very moving ballad, where the clarity of Walker’s voice shines. Randy Newman is represented with a nice slow, blues version of “Let Me Go.” This is where the “knowing” quality of Walker’s voice comes through, but she never delves too far. Walker’s storytelling is particularly good in Raymond Douglas Davies' “Celluloid Heroes.” The album begins with a nice trumpet solo, leading into pianist Jon R. Burr’s lovely bossa arrangement of “I Remember You” (Victor Schertzinger, music/Johnny Mercer, lyrics), and ends with a lovely ballad I’d never heard before, “Saturday Sun” (Nick Drake). Here, again, Walker tells the story simply and beautifully. Walker and John Evans produced this CD. It was recorded in Berkeley, CA, where Walker lives. Throughout the CD, Walker had terrific support from the aforementioned musicians as well as Scott Amendola (drums). Harold Sanditen Cabaret Scenes September 2011 www.cabaretscenes.org

Lissy Walker

Life Is Sweet

Strawberry Canyon Records