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Rating: It is quite complex to think of a remarkable jazz artist so far from the natural homeland of this music, so far from the warm sensations that, in most cases, envelop these atmospheres. Yet for years now, if I had to think about the women who have most moved me, musically speaking, I would put at the forefront at least three Scandinavians. Among them Silje Nergaard, and in particular this CD of standards and more.
Accompanied by an excellent trio (piano, bass, drums) and various guests, all strictly above the parallel of Copenhagen, Nergaard certainly manages to melt the ice surrounding her, and gives us very warm moments. The voice is not hoarse and deep as one would expect from a jazz singer who seems to have studied Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan a lot, but rather it is high and with a distinctive tone, more akin to a pop diva than to these sacred monsters. In fact, her other productions are more oriented towards pop rather than jazz, sophisticated yet pop.
On the album, the ultra-classics Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered, Don't Explain, and Dream A Little Dream in which she mimics the famous Ella & Louis version at least two octaves higher, accompanied in singing by Heine Totland and making humorous references to certain musicalities that reminded me of Marilyn Monroe. Also nice is the slow-motion remake of Sting's If You Love Somebody, very well crafted, as well as Paul Simon's You're Kind. The other original compositions are all of good quality and especially excellently played by the trio, at times invigorated by a superb sax and other times by a small dose of strings, without ever overdoing it.
I saw her in a video recorded at the North Sea Jazz festival in The Hague in 2004, singing with the trio of His Majesty Tord Gustavsen, for me one of the best pianists around, and I was very well impressed by her skill and professionalism.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (05:25)
I'm wild again
Beguiled again
A whimpering, simpering child again
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - am I
I couldn't sleep
And wouldn't sleep
When love came and told me I shouldn't sleep
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - am I
I lost my heart
But what of it?
He is cold I agree
He can laugh, but I love it
Although the laugh's on me
I'll sing to him
Each spring to him
And long for the day when I'll cling to him
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - am I
I lost my heart
But what of it?
He is cold I agree
He can laugh, but I love it
Although the laugh's on me
I'll sing to him
Each spring to him
And long for the day when I'll cling to him
Bewitched, bothered and bewildered - am I
05 What's New (02:25)
What's new
How is the world treating you
You haven't changed a bit
Handsome as ever I must admit
What's new
How did that romance come through
We haven't met since then
Gee but it's nice to see you again
What's new
Probably I'm boring you
But seeing you is grand
And you were sweet to offer your hand
I understand, I do
Pardon my asking what's new
Of course you couldn't know
I haven't changed
I still love you so
06 The Waltz (04:10)
Strike up the band let it play
Love songs to haunt me and I will stay
But when it comes to a waltz
Both words and music will ring false
For you waltzed in and spun my world
Around in dizzy dance I swirled
But suddenly you waltzed away from me
Those violins, they must go
So no careless hand with a bow
May play on the strings of my heart
And make me remember how lovers part
How you waltzed in and spun my world
Around in dizzy dance I swirled
But suddenly you waltzed away from me
Strike up the band let it play
Whatever it chooses and I will say
Play me a waltz if you will
I'll sit here and listen waiting until
My love returns to take my world
And spin it 'round in dizzy swirl
Where girl loves boy and boy loves girl
And feet don't touch the ground
08 For All We Know (03:05)
Sweetheart the night is growing cold
Sweetheart my love is still untold
A kiss that is never tasted
Forever and ever is wasted
For all we know
We may never meet again
Before you go, make this moment sweet again
We won't say good night until the last minute
I'll hold out my hand
And my heart will be in it
For all we know
This may only be a dream
We come and go like a ripple on a stream
So love me tonight, tomorrow is made for some
Tomorrow may never come
For all we know
09 Shame on You (04:44)
It doesn't really matter where you're coming from
It's no concern of mine where you are bound
Your move from a to b is basic geometry, the shortest line is me
Spare me lengthy tales of pain and misery
Of how you once were lost but now are found
I wasn't searching, just remember who from who between two points in time
Shame on you
Expecting me to go along with all you do
Shame on you
Go play your game of hide and seek with somebody new
I'm just another port of call along the way
Another landing place but that's all right
Let's forget the whys and wherefores
And get on with saying my goodbyes
Shame on you
Expecting me to go along with all you do
Shame on you
Go play your game of hide and seek with somebody new
Watch my lips, hear what they're saying
I will spell it out
Keep those mind games you love playing
They're not what I'm about
Shame on you
Expecting me to go along with all you do
Shame on you
Go play your game of hide and seek with somebody new
11 Dream a Little Dream (03:14)
Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"
Birds singin' in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me
Say nighty-night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
While I'm as blue as blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me
Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me
Stars fading but I linger on dear (I linger on)
Still craving your kiss (craving your kiss)
I'm longing to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this
Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me
12 Don't Explain (04:34)
Hush now, don't explain
There's nothin' to gain
I'm glad you're back
Don't explain
Hush now, don't explain
What is there to gain
Skip that lipstick
Don't explain
You know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
I'm so completely yours
Don't hear folks chatter
Cause I know that you cheat
Right or wrong don't matter
When I'm with you sweet
Hush now, don't explain
You're my joy, you're my pain
My life is yours love
Don't explain
You know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
I'm so completely yours
Don't hear folks chatter
Cause I know that you cheat
Right or wrong don't matter
When I'm with you sweet
Hush, don't explain
You're my joy, you're my pain
My life is yours love
Don't explain
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