Sue Moreno & Chris Casello - City By Night (2018)

The basis for the collaboration of the Dutch Sue Moreno with the American guitarist Chris Casello was laid a few years ago during a European tour with musicians from the band of Elvis Presley. Shortly before one of these shows, the singer received the sad news that Stanley, also known as 'papa Moreno' had died completely unexpectedly. That evening the performance was dedicated to her father, who always proved to have had a great inspiring role on his daughter's music. It can even be assumed that City By Night would never have been born without him, which is why this collection, consisting of both self-written material and self-interpreted classics, is dedicated to him. Moreno and Casello decided to join forces at the Fry Pharmacy Studio in Nashville,the place where the guitarist settled earlier. This analog studio contains equipment that was previously found in world famous studios such as RCA's Studio B / Nashville. In addition, microphones, amplifiers, tape machines and equipment were used with which big names such as Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline and Les Paul have worked. The album's opener, How High The Moon, takes the listener back sixty years and shows how Les Paul & Mary Ford would have sounded if it were recorded now. This version is close to the original, partly due to Casello's thin tinkling guitar sound, which gives off his business card here. That the guitarist is not the first is evident from an impressive list of previous musical contributions in which we come across names such as Raul Malo (Mavericks), Kid Rock, Martha Reeves and Bo Diddley. Almost ten years later, Sarah Vaughan was to announce Broken Hearted Melody. Moreno cleverly succeeds in giving her 'corny' jazz vocals an honest character. The same goes for I'm Lookin 'Out The Window, with which Cliff Richard made a nice addition in 1962, and Peggy Lee. A track in which the warmth of the studio and associated materials seem to be optimally used. The temperature rises by another ten degrees during Polynesian Blues in which Casello puts an exotic steal party. It must have evoked special feelings in bassist Dave Roe. The bass player who grew up in Hawaii adds Johnny Sue Moreno to his musical collaborations after Johnny Cash and Chet Atkins.Moreno then proves in the Man Of Many Promises composed with him that he is also very good in the related styles.When the dazzling singer whispers sensually Confessin '(That I Love You), there is really no one left think of Perry Como or Doris Day. There has also been a collaboration with pianist Al Hill, known from Bettye LaVette, who adds a fair dose of honky tonk to My Love Has Gone. We 'unmask' Jimmy Lester behind his drum kit. This time not in Los Straitjackets but as a companion of Sue Moreno and Chris Casello. Although traditionals like Fever and Dream A Little Dream sung by Moreno do not sound unfamiliar, it was just as easy to choose your own work here. The temptation to tackle these classics with these musicians is understandable. Special mention also deserves the stunning artwork of the album. It is none other than Govert de Roos who has taken care of the stylish cover photos of Sue Moreno in this musical 'film noir'.Fortunately, the information on the inlay betrays that it concerns recent recordings, because otherwise the listener would have assumed that it was authentic material. ~Jeroen Bakker