All She Needs by Brenda Earle

09 Sep

Written by Max Babi
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Brenda Earle is a pianist, vocalist and arranger, from Toronto, Canada, with her own website at www.brendaearle.com and her own recording company Allsheneeds Music. Quite a personality, is the first reaction when one listens to her, watching her highly photogenic face and imagining the firmness of the invisible umbilical cord that keeps her attached to the Muse.

In this album, one of the most remarkable numbers is "Sinking Slowly" wherein the piano solo is a delightful glimpse into her simple but very gratifying, jazzy ways. Bryden Baird on trumpet and fluegelhorn provides a very dreamy backdrop to her delicately caressed piano. Even on the first song, "The Honeymoon Is Over" her husky voice is well-supported by some pretty insightful piano work.

"This Happy Madness" is an uptempo song, with yet another brilliant piano interlude that makes the performance memorable. In the slower numbers, her singing reminds one of the sort of vocals Barbara Streisand had made famous in the early part of her meteoric rise in an eventful career, though Brenda’s voice does not slice into the upper registers, nor make you squirm in your seat with its sheer force. Hers is an easy-going style that soothes the frayed nerves, whilst playfully teasing the senses, as the jazziness is very much there.

Another sparkling piano piece is the title-tune "All She Needs" where her style is reminiscent of Wynton Kelly during his heyday, and even Oscar Peterson, whenever he chooses to play lightly. This piece is dominated by the piano sounds all throughout and comes out as an entertaining effort.

One more remarkable piano solo covers "Out Of Love" with a ruminating air, with the drums providing good contrast in the background. There are some pretty engaging vocal acrobatics on the last two tracks, "Wonderful" and "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" -one wonders how she manages to tinkle the keys in the same jazzy patterns whilst attempting those intricate vocal challenges. Good talent, indeed !

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Brenda Earle
CD Title: All She Needs
Genre: Jazz Vocals
Year Released: 2002
Record Label: Allsheneeds Music
Tracks: 1. The Honeymoon Is Over, 2. Sinking Slowly, 3. The Sea Trials, 4. This Happy Madness, 5. My Last Apology, 6. All She Needs, 7. Out Of Love, 8. Wonderful, 9. The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress.
Musicians: Brenda Earle[vocals, piano], Craig Earle [bass], Kevin Coady [drums], Bryden Basrid [trumpet, fluegelhorn], Josh Brown [trombone].
Label Website: -
Rating: Three Stars