Husband, Thomas Zink, produced and arranged this CD, with 12 tracks spanning Brazilian jazz, sensitive ballads and mysterious interplay between Walsh’s clear voice and the wondrous musicians on this album.
Teaching vocalists at the American Musical & Dramatic academy in Los Angeles, Walsh performs regularly with her band. Recent gigs include shows at Spaghettini’s in Seal Beach, Jazz Bakery in Culver City and several shows in Southern California. She won the Parent’s Choice award with her album of lullabies, Baby Mine.
Soft and airy, crystal clear and pure, Walsh brings a sense of innocence to the opening song, "Pretty World," a Sergio Mendez composition spirited by flautist Gary Meek in a Brazilian jazz tempo. "Chova Chuva" also travels a Brazilian highway of rhythm.
Deeper, with a mysterious edge, "So May It Secretly Begin" takes the listener into deep twists and turns that would make author Pat Metheny proud. Zink’s keyboard stays lively and up-tempo. Another flirty, sultry tune, "Caramel," by Susan Vega and Kevyn Lettau allows guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves freedom to expand and serenade the singer, while celebrating each note.
As Walsh lets each note roll gently, lyrically, on "Waters of March," she creates a sense of ease and natural flow for this deceptively complicated tune. Again, backed by a rompish fling on keyboard, this song stays airy fresh, as intended.
Who could possibly forget the Cole Porter classic, "In The Still of the Night?" Pouring herself into each note, Walsh shows her ability to carry her voice into fairytale places of magic born from a deep love. Changing the tone, revving it up a bit, Gary Meeks allows full expression on his sax, warming the air for "Pools."
Bassists Carlitos Del Puerto and Jerry Watts keep an ebb and flow of tension on these tunes while percussionist Tiki Pasillas provides a soft yet poignant backbeat to Walsh’s pure vocals. Multidimensional bassist, Brian Bromberg also contributes his talents to this CD. Some words just fit together Bromberg and excellence equal enchantment. An experienced listener automatically expects this when seeing Bromberg’s name on a work.
"Night And Day" is treated with a cheery hopefulness before moving on to a couple of winter-associated songs: "Winter" and "My Favorite Things."
Closing with "My Song," seems so appropriate since Walsh has taken each song on this CD and created new tones, beats and wispy melodies. Following her heart, Walsh is drawn to songs that feel good. When she sings, everyone listening ‘feels good.’
