Title - Let Me See Your Heart
Artist - Andy James
For those unaware, the title of vocalist Andy James’ latest album is stated as a request, but one listen to Let Me See Your Heart and it becomes clear that James is simply hoping that her audience will reciprocate what she’s already offered. On her most open and vulnerable recording to date, James reveals her heart and soul with each lyric.
Just released this month via Le Coq Records, the label that James co-founded with her husband, producer, and co-songwriter Piero Pata, Let Me See Your Heart is graced by the ever-expanding stable of stellar musicians that the imprint has become known for.
The all-star ensemble for this date includes percussionist Alex Acuña, bassists John Patitucci, James Genus and Eric Wheeler, pianist Jon Cowherd, keyboardist John Beasley, organist Ronnie Foster, trumpeter Terell Stafford, saxophonists Joel Frahm and John Ellis, flutist Bob Sheppard, trombonist Michael Dease, guitarists Chico Pinheiro, Steve Cardenas, Larry Koonse and Paul Jackson Jr., and drummers Nate Smith, Clarence Penn, Rudy Royston and Johnathan Blake, with arrangements provided by Cowherd and Bill Cunliffe.
The line-up of musicians who breathe life into this music – in the process, showing us their own individual and collective hearts – comprises a who’s who of modern jazz greats. They have also become near and dear to the hearts of James and Pata, and integral to the unified and brilliant sound of Le Coq Records.
1. Take Five
2. Bali Hai
3. Photograph
4. New York State of Mind
5. For Every Man There’s A Woman
6. All Or Nothing At All
7. Danny Boy
8. Let Me See Your Heart
9. Let’s Try
10. I Was Born In Love With You
11. Let’s Talk About Love
12. I Will Say Goodbye
The new collection of captivating songs opens on her sleekly dutiful take on the Dave Brubeck classic Take Five and the lushly orchestrated Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Bali Hai (from South Pacific), and they are followed by the polished Photograph, an empowered version of Billy Joel’s New York State of Mind, the ornate For Every Man There’s A Woman and a spirited All Or Nothing At All.
Up next is her lamenting rendition of the timeless classic Danny Boy and the free flowingly elegant Let Me See Your Heart and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the sheer gossamer of Let’s Try, the all-embracing Michel Legrand track I Was Born In Love With You, the recording rounding out on the brisk finger-snapper Let’s Talk About Love, closing on another Legrand song, the ornate I Will Say Goodbye.
In addition to these favorites, James contributes three originals to the session. The title track, written with Pata, Cunliffe and James, features Ronnie Foster’s B3 weaving blues filigrees around James’ entreating melodies, while “Let’s Try” brings back Ellis’ bass clarinet for a searching call and response with the vocalist. “Let’s Talk of Love” brims with a breezy optimism, buoyant with an old-fashioned swing made weightless by Royston’s elegant touch.
“The musicians we’ve assembled at Le Coq over the years have really become sort of a family,” James says. “They understand what I want when I compose, to the point that it’s become instinctual.”
Official Website
Andy James - Take Five (feat. Nate Smith, John Patitucci, John Beasly, Alex Acuña, Chico Pinheiro)
www.lecoqrecords.com