For those not in the know, and with themes are romance and heartbreak that course through covers and original pieces alike, Vanisha Gould & Chris McCarthy have just released their brand new duo album, Life’s a Gig.

The duo, who have been playing together some seven years or so now and thus have a mighty strong rapport with one another at their live shows, are now allowing that musical bond to seep through into this new album (out now).

“’Life’s a gig, it don’t pay much but it costs a lot,’” Vanisha reveals. “I said that at a party one evening, whispered it imitating Miles Davis. We all laughed. Truth is, life has offered me a lot. All I’ve ever wanted was to sing this beautiful music and make a living from it. I never thought I would also find family. Community. This album is meant to represent exactly that. Just family coming together singing tunes we’ve sung countless times before.”

1. Cool
2. Aisha
3. What A Little Moonlight Can Do
4. Fall In Love With Me In Fall
5. No Moon At All
6. Jolene
7. Monk’s Dream
8. No More
9. Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

With a sweetly-sculpted vein of old-fashioned jazz music from the 40’s and 50’s, this delightfully-hued new recording opens on the playful Cool and the luxuriant Aisha and then brings us the impassioned What A Little Moonlight Can Do and the veritably glistening Fall In Love With Me In Fall.

On an album where the singer is lovingly influenced by Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, among others, up next that is dutifully brought to the fore on the heartfelt No Moon At All which is itself backed seamlessly by a quite stunning reworking of Dolly Parton’s Jolene, a perky Monk’s Dream, the album rounding out on the lavish No More, closing on the rhythmically jaunty Between The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.

“I feel truly blessed to know Chris McCarthy (piano) and Kayla Williams (Viola - Jolene & Fall in Love With Me in Fall),” Vanisha continues. “They both carry this music with such integrity and ease. I want to flower my family with love. Arleen Simmons Gould and Hollis Gould are directly responsible for the voice that you hear on this album. Without their support and unending love, well, this gig called “life” would be undesirable, and without swing.”

“My brother, Victor Gould, also my favorite musician and composer, handed me my first Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong album- the rest is history. He is not just my confidant, but he paved the path for me, as well. From middle school in Simi Valley, California to the New York Jazz scene, his extraordinary expertise and reputation has inspired me. Life’s a Gig. A pretty damn good gig.”

Vanisha Gould & Chris McCarthy - Aisha (Official Music Video)

Vanisha Gould @ Instagram