Moments Like This

Album review

It's a pleasure to report that first rank vocalist Rebecca Kilgore is recording with comparative regularity. Moments Like This is her fifth release in a little more than two years. Some of these releases have been under her name, on others she guests. This album is the first she has cut with her trio, with which she regularly performs at jazz venues in her home base of Portland, Oregon. Added to the group is bass player Scott Steed, whose credits include appearances with Kitty Margolis and Mark Murphy. Kilgore's voice is not one of the strongest or loudest in the business. She makes her mark with a delicate, light approach to each of the items on this album's generous, 16-tune playlist. Whether the tune be a ballad, an uptempo swinger, or one with a Brazilian beat, Kilgore delivers them with absolute authenticity and authority. This has earned her a high place on that list of singers who, even though they occasionally employ a vocal gambit like scatting, made their name on the basis of their straightforward way with a tune, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Carol Sloane, or Anita O'Day. For this session, Kilgore applies her unique brand of vocal commentary to tunes favored by some of her high priestesses of song colleagues. "I Told Ya I Love Ya (Now Get Out)" is from Anita O'Day, the upbeat "This Can't Be Love" recalls Fitzgerald's version from her Rodgers & Hart Songbook, "Moments Like This" was favored by Peggy Lee, and "Tulip or Turnip" by Carol Sloane. The support Kilgore receives from her trio is admirable. They excel whether it be in shaping the musical framework for Kilgore's vocalizing or by the many opportunities she gives them to solo. One prime example of the latter is "You're My Everything," a vehicle for Randy Porter's groovy piano and very fancy bass playing by Scott Steed. Neil Masson goes beyond keeping time with some clever stick handling. Moments Like This is another triumph for Kilgore.
© Dave Nathan /TiVo