Mary Foster Conklin: Photographs

John Hoglund | December 8, 2015

Mary Foster Conklin

Photographs

(Mock Turtle Music)

December 7, 2015

Reviewed by John Hoglund for Cabaret Scenes

As always, jazz stylist Mary Foster Conklin is a unique interpreter of meaningful songs about life. She breathes new life into “Moonglow” (Will Hudson/Irving Mills/ Eddie DeLange) and such rarities as “Key Largo” (Benny Carter/Leah Worth), recalling girl singers of another era. She has that knack for giving these songs wistful, moving treatments. She infuses the Paul McCartney gem, “For No One,” with just the right hint of longing and melancholia. With the brilliant John di Martino at the helm, the arrangements and the band are exceptional, showing just enough sensitivity that is never maudlin on the ballads, with perfectly balanced swing on the upbeat tunes. This is particularly so on several Fran Landesman songs, starting with the album’s title cut, “Photographs” (music: Alec Wilder). Here, Conklin is expressive and silky on this song about reflection. She coolly captures the sweet reminiscence of looking back on a love affair that was. The cut is a serious highlight on this must-have disc. Her supple alto is rich and longing on Landesman’s moody “Small Day Tomorrow” (a collaboration with Bob Dorough). She is equally up to a sultry “The Winds of Heaven” and a lively “Nothing Like You” (also collaborations with Dorough).

In an airy arrangement, the Johnny Mandel/Alan and Marilyn Bergman “Cinnamon and Clove” is enticing and she takes you to an unknown rendezvous that is intoxicating—as is Conklin. The philosophically profound “Long as You’re Living”(Julian Preseter/Tommy Turrentine/Oscar Brown, Jr.) wraps a package of optimism in a warm blanket that makes this musical journey the joy it is. This is a timeless disc by an insightful artist, filled with musical interludes that sizzle and with taunting songs about life and the realities we all know. Mary Foster Conklin has always been in a league of her own when it comes to singing about the real deal. Whether it’s with a tear or a sly wink, she seduces like no other. It’s all on this special album.

Tags: Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Alec Wilder, American Songbook, Benny Carter, Bob Dorough, Broadway Musicals, Cabaret, Cabaret Reviews, Cabaret Scenes, CD, Cinnamon and Clove, Clubs, Composers, Eddie DeLange, For No One, Fran Landesman, Great American Songbook, Irving Mills, Jazz, Jazz Singers, John di Martino, John Hoglund, Johnny Mandel, Julian Preseter, Key Largo, Leah Worth, Long as You’re Living, lyricists, Mary Foster Conklin, Mock Turtle Music, Moonglow, Musicals, Musicians, Nightclubs, Nothing Like You, Oscar Brown Jr., Paul McCartney, Photographs, Popular Song, Revues, Show Tunes, Singers, Small Day Tomorrow, Songbook, Standards, Supper Clubs, The Winds of Heaven, Tommy Turrentine, Venues, Vocalists, Will Hudson