Under a Blanket Of Blue by Loretta Cormier

05 Mar

Written by Richard Bourcier
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It’s been too long! San Antonio based Loretta Cormier has just released a follow-up to her 1998 debut "Sing! Went The Strings Of My Heart." The new CD finds the singer with a trio rather than her previous sextet. However, she continues in the same groove that she knows so well.

Loretta loves great songwriters and treats their harvested works with wonderful sincerity. It’s nice to see a fine singer do "You Call It Madness" penned in part by Russ Columbo in 1931. Columbo was one of America’s early crooners who may have surpassed Crosby and Sinatra if his life had not been cut short. Loretta sings the verse as singers always did in the 30’s but usually omit in recent years.

Influenced by such stars as Sinatra, Chris Connor, Tony Bennett and Julie London, Cormier sounds like none of them but projects the same warmth and feeling. Her version of Joe Bushkin’s "Oh Look At Me Now" gives ample room for the instrumentalists to break loose. The trio is given a generous amount of space throughout the session and they’re fine players. A special tip of the hat goes to bassist Brandon Rivas. Very impressive!

I really enjoyed Loretta Cormier’s latest effort. She continues to impress and I envy the folks in San Antonio who can get out to listen to her gently swinging style.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Loretta Cormier
CD Title: Under a Blanket Of Blue
Genre: Jazz Vocals
Year Released: 2002
Record Label: Independent
Tracks: You’ve Changed; The Quiet Side; That Certain Feeling; I Wish I Knew; Oh, You Crazy Moon; The Touch Of Your Lips; Gone With The Wind; Someone Just Like You; I Should Care; You Turned The Tables On Me; You Call It Madness; Carioca; Too Late Now; Oh, Look At Me Now; Under a Blanket Of Blue.
Musicians: Loretta Cormier (vocals); Andrew Langham (piano); Brandon Rivas (bass); Gerry Gibbs (drums).
Label Website: -
Rating: Three Stars