Dianne Reeves (2)

DIANNE REEVES - THE GRAND ENCOUNTER (1996)

1. Old Country
2. Cherokee    
3. Besame Mucho    
4. Let Me Love You    
5. Tenderly    
6. After Hours    
7. Ha!    
8. Some Other Spring    
9. Side By Side    
10. I'm Okay

This CD could have been titled Finally! Dianne Reeves has long had the potential to be the top female jazz singer, but so many of her previous recordings were erratic as she skipped back and forth between idioms without committing herself. However, after years of flirting with jazz and being seemingly undecided whether she would rather be a pop star, she at last came out with a full jazz album in 1996, and it is a gem. The supporting cast on the ten selections (which feature different personnel on each cut) is remarkable and everyone gets a chance to play: trumpeters Clark Terry and Harry "Sweets" Edison, altoists Phil Woods and Bobby Watson, tenorman James Moody, trombonist Al Grey, harmonica great Toots Thielemans (on "Besame Mucho"), pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rodney Whitaker, and drummer Herlin Riley. In addition, Joe Williams shares the vocal spotlight on "Let Me Love You" and a touching version of "Tenderly," Germaine Bazzle sings along with Reeves on "Side by Side," and a rendition of Charlie Ventura's "Ha!" has a vocal group consisting of Reeves, Bazzle, Terry, Moody, and the young Kimberley Longstreth. Other highlights include Nat Adderley's "Old Country," "Some Other Spring," and "Cherokee." Despite the heavy "competition," the leader emerges as the star of the set due to her beautiful voice and highly expressive singing. This highly recommended CD is the Dianne Reeves release to get. ~ Scott Yanow

Personnel: Dianne Reeves (vocals); James Moody (vocals, tenor saxophone); Clark Terry (vocals, trumpet); Kimberley Longstreth, Germaine Bazzle, Joe Williams (vocals); Toots Thielemans (harmonica); Phil Woods, Bobby Watson (alto saxophone); Harry "Sweets" Edison (trumpet); Al Grey (trombone); Kenny Barron (piano); Herlin Riley (drums).

DIANNE REEVES - THAT DAY (1997)

    Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
    Blue Prelude
    Close Enough For Love
    Just A Little Lovin'
    That Day
    Twelfth Of Never
    Morning Has Broken
    Dark Truths
    Exactly Like You
    Ain't Nobody's Business (If I Do)


After two solid jazz recordings, this effort by Dianne Reeves finds her returning a bit to her eclectic ways. She sounds joyous and swinging on "Exactly Like You," and making one wonder why she still spends so much time singing R&B and pop. Other highlights include the sexy and saucy "That Day," a spacy version of "Blue Prelude," and the folkish "The Twelfth of Never," but there are also several less interesting numbers that are only worthwhile due to Reeves' attractive voice. The singer is assisted by a small group that includes pianist Mulgrew Miller and drummer Terri Lyne Carrington. ~ Scott Yanow
THAT DAY... was nominated for a 1999 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance.

Personnel: Dianne Reeves (vocals); Kevin Eubanks (acoustic guitar); Bob Sheppard (flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Oscar Brashear (trumpet, flugelhorn); Mulgrew Miller (piano); Terri Lyne Carrington (drums); Munyungo Jackson (percussion).