Review: The late tenor Jan Peerce would probably disapprove of Katie Bull’s treatment of his 1948 semi-classical hit. On the other hand, jazz aficionados will applaud loudly. Bull sings “Bluebird Of Happiness” as if it had never been performed before. What a breath of fresh air!
The New Yorker is releasing her third CD this month following closely behind her successful and critic stunning Love Spook. Bassist Joe Fonda was at the core of both previous projects Love Spook and Conversations With The Jokers. Like the singer, Fonda is an intense and resourceful musician. It seemed inevitable that the pair were destined to work in a duo format. A voice/bass duo isn’t the easiest combination to manage as there is little margin for error. The Canadian duo of Karen Young & Michele Donato had a similar act back in the 1980s and turned out some memorable music. The Canadians performed primarily original material but Bull & Fonda dare to record items like “I’m Old Fashioned” and “I Could Have Danced All Night”, songs that, for decades, are firmly set in audiences’ minds. Even Bob Thiele’s venerable “What A Wonderful World” gets a new look.
Three Katie Bull originals appear in the form of “Shortcut Blues”, “Monkey Business” and “Speak Louder.” To my delight, Bull’s “Love Spook” from her previous album shows up again by the duo. It’s an astonishing performance with Bull exhibiting her enviable vocal range and control.
Katie Bull and Joe Fonda are delightfully different and worth a listen. It’s as daring a performance as you’ll ever hear.
Tracks: I Could Have Danced All Night; Love Spook; Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars (Corcovado); Shortcut Blues; I’m Old Fashioned; Monkey Business; Bluebird Of Happiness; When You Say You Will; When I Fall In Love; Midnight Sun; Speak Louder; Since I Fell For You; Wonderful World.
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