Description
SKU/Barcode: 725095288026
Many of TCB's releases are known for having a strong warhorse factor; in other words, their releases often emphasize overdone standards that have been recorded by countless artists over the years. And that is especially problematic for younger singers and instrumentalists, who need to build interesting, attention-grabbing repertoires instead of simply rehashing an abundance of songs that have long since been beaten to death. The warhorse factor is problematic for Swiss vocalist Nicole Herzog on Time Will Tell, although this 2007 release also has its share of positive attributes. Herzog's singing has a charming, girlish quality, but there is some bluesy grit in her singing as well -- and that appealing blend of sweetness and grit asserts itself on several warhorses (including Frank Loesser's "If I Were a Bell," George Gershwin's "The Man I Love," and Antonio Carlos Jobim's "One Note Samba") and three likable post-bop songs by trombonist Adrian Mears ("The Best I Can," "While My Baby Sleeps," and the title track). Mears handles all the arrangements, and his presence is a plus. So between Herzog's singing and Mears' arrangements, Time Will Tell is far from a bad album. But by encouraging an excess of warhorses, TCB isn't doing Herzog a favor. Herzog was only 24 when this 50-minute CD was recorded in 2007 -- and being so warhorse-centric doesn't exactly make her stand out in a field as insanely crowded and as insanely competitive as vocal jazz. Nonetheless, Herzog is a talented vocalist with potential, and this competent but not overly memorable debut indicates that she is worth keeping an eye on.
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