REVIEW
Bass World — Magazine of the International
Society of Bassists
Volume 28, Number One, 2004
Review by Paul Pearce
It's your debut vocal recording. Who would you pick
for your rhythm section, assuming you could have your choice? Let's see,
how about Bill Mays on piano (former music director for the late Sarah
Vaughan), first-call bassist John Clayton (Diana Krall's favorite), and
on drums Joe LaBarbera, Bill Evans' last drummer. This dream team trio
is a recipe for a swinging and dynamite session, and it does not disappoint.
West coast bassist Laura Welland has released her first album as a vocalist
in the nicely packaged collection of standards with a couple of surprises.
Laura has a pure, cool and clear delivery with touches of Blossom Dearie
and an early Rosemary Clooney. She has a strong feeling for the tempos
and sings with sensitive phrasing.
The opening track, Honeysuckle Rose, begins with a bass/voice duet
that moves into a medium swing with Welland taking the first couple of
choruses followed by pianist Fuller. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write
Myself A Letter has pianist Bill Mays laying down a lovely path for
the vocals. She follows his lead with a cool interpretation of this standard.
May's finds the groove and stretches out. I'll Be Seeing You is
taken at a slow pace and with a full introduction (rarely recorded). Beautiful
work by both Laura and Bill.
Love Is Never Out Of Season, the title track, is a gem. Not often
heard these days, this piece lets Welland have some fun with its cute
lyrics. Another standard, with full introduction, When I Grow Too Old
to Dream, opens with beautiful arcos played by John Clayton to accompany
Laura's sweet treatment of the lyrics. Nice.
Drummer Joe LaBarbera gets to display his wares with some fours and a
solo in I Got The Sun in The Morning, a tight arrangement with
precise stick work. A pensive arrangement of Dream a Little Dream of
Me gives bassist Clayton a chance to play a gorgeous solo, and so
in tune! Pianist May's keyboard touch and pedaling is something to hear.
Welland's take on You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To sets the stage
for the trio to really lay it down, as Fuller, Clayton and LaBarbera do
their thing. And she can scat! Very, very nice! The pianist and singer
open I'm Confessin' as a lovely duet, followed by some neat stride
work by Bill Mays. Be My Love is a medium-tempo arrangement that
is sung straight ahead leading into a romp by the trio. While We're
Young begins as a lilting waltz and quickly moves into a cool groove
that features the swinging piano of Larry Fuller. Bet you can't keep your
foot from tapping! The set closes with If I Had You, which may
be the jewel in the crown of this recording. Pretty interplay between
Clayton and Mays provide a wonderful ending to this upscale project.
Laura Welland is a unique and talented artist. Not only is she an accomplished
bassist, she plays piano and trumpet. But that is not all; she trained
as a mechanical engineer and holds several patents. Ms. Welland sold her
company in order to follow her dream of playing jazz full time. As she
said, "It's never too late to follow your heart."
The trio members for this project are legends. Bill Mays has played and
recorded with many jazz greats, including Red Mitchell, Gerry Mulligan,
Freddie Hubbard, the Mel Lewis orchestra and Sarah Vaughan. He is also
the ISB's favorite piano player! Bassist John Clayton (who also produced
this session) began his illustrious career by studying with bass giant
Ray Brown and has played or recorded with just about everyone. This lengthy
list includes Count Bassie, Monty Alexander, Milt Jackson, Benny Green,
Natalie Cole and Diana Krall. John also co-leads The Clayton Hamilton
Jazz Orchestra. Drummer Joe LaBarbera was with the last edition of the
Bill Evans Trio and continues to be one of the most in-demand drummers
on both coasts. Pianist Larry Fuller, who plays on three tracks, was Ray
Brown's last trio along with drummer George Fludas.
Congratulations to all involved for this highly successful venture.