Canadian vocalist Holly Cole is an artist who is difficult to classify with a particular style. Her adventurous repertoire includes styles such as cabaret, rock, country and jazz and her approach to standards and pop classics is often ironic and casual. On this CD we hear a jazzy Cole with a mini-big band consisting of nine New York musicians. The surprising arrangements are by Gil Goldstein, known
… as an arranger for Pat Metheny and Michael Brecker, among others. The striking line-up with three saxophones (including bass sax!), Trombone and horn is sometimes reminiscent of that of Gil Evans for the Birth of the Cool nonet. Yet this CD has more earthy and bluesy moments. That's because of the rougher sax solos and of course Cole's smoky and sultry voice. The repertoire includes standards by Cole Porter, among others, Irving Berlin and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Holly's only own composition Larger Than Life fits well in that list. (HB)more
