Carla Cook - Dem Bones (2001)

Vocalist Carla Cook follows up her 1999 Grammy-nominated It's All About Love with a sterling mixed bag of songs that range from bossa nova and bop to funk, gospel, and even country. To top off the eclecticism, she employs the trombone trio of Fred Wesley, Craig Harris, and Tyrone Jefferson, resulting in an intoxicating album that's as adventurous as it is accessible. Cook's spry readings of Matthew Gee's "Oh Gee" and the gleaming bossa nova prance of Dori Caymmi's "Like a Lover" show off her optimistic voice and needlepoint articulation and intonation. Cook recalls a young Nancy Wilson, especially on the frisky opener, "The More I See You." Her singing, however, gets bluesier on the funky "Dem Bones" and the gospel favorite, "Come, Ye Disconsolate." Even on the oddball selection of Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe," Cook delivers the tune with a lithe rhythmic flair that never diminishes the emotional weight of the song. Kudos to the superb rhythm section of bassist James Genus, drummer Billy Kilson, and pianists Bruce Barth and Cyrus Chestnut for their parts in making Dem Bones a fresh, utterly swinging affair. -- John Murph