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Marion Montgomery - And Now - That Lady from Natchez (2016)

Marion Montgomery - And Now - That Lady from Natchez (2016)

BAND/ARTIST: Marion Montgomery

  • Title: And Now - That Lady from Natchez
  • Year Of Release: 2016
  • Label: Audiophile
  • Genre: Vocal Jazz
  • Quality: flac lossless (tracks)
  • Total Time: 01:12:38
  • Total Size: 433 mb
  • WebSite:

If you're not familiar with the singing of Marion Montgomery, you are in for a treat - from the first phrases of "Baubles, Bangles And Beads", to the last notes of "'S Wonderful", you are in the hands of a consummate, swinging pro.

At an early age in Marion Montgomery's career beginnings, she made her critically-acclaimed LP recording debut for the influential Capitol label. She instantly became popular on the night club circuit and did the usual media interviews. Capital released extraordinary follow-up recordings; however Rhythm 'n' Blues and Rock 'n' Roll soon prevailed in "pop" music and neither road was to be treated by Marion Montgomery. No more new recordings originated from the USA until now, but many more were certainly made in England and there she is legendary.

Unfortunately, because she made her home in England since 1965, she is not well known today in her native USA. Originally from Natchez, Mississippi, she has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in New York, Las Vegas, Hollywood and Miami. But most of her time is spent is spent in England, where she has been a regular at Ronnie Scott's jazz club, and done major concerts with her acclaimed husband Laurie Holloway. She has also done BBC television, commercials, and appeared most successfully in the West End as Reno Sweeney in "Anything Goes".

She has been admired by Johnny Mercer, Nat "King" Cole, Nelson Riddle, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, to name just a few. In a recent performance at Vine Street in Hollywood, the LA Times said "She has considerable acting talent as well as her musical abilities... she lets the lyric sell the song...a classy lady".

I first saw Marion in person at Ronnie Scott's in London in the summer of 1971. I was knocked out, and became a fan for life. I've since seen her in engagements in New York (where she appeared with longtime partner Richard Rodney Bennett) and in Hollywood. I'm always amazed and gratified by her honesty, and her innate ability to swing, and still communicate. She always lets the lyric make sense from her unique point of view.

This CD was recorded in New Orleans in March of 1997, when she and her husband / accompanist / arranger Laurie Holloway were on a quick trip to her home town of Natchez and a "gig" in Florida.

Note her seductive phrasing and unique tempos on "Why Can't You Behave". It would make anyone want to misbehave badly, if only to have her sing it to you. Her scatting on "Sweet Georgia Brown" is really down and funky. Then there's the unusual rhythm of "Candy", the floating bossa nova of "Dream" by Johnny Mercer (with whom she has sung duets), and two excellent original new tunes by Laurie Holloway: "And Now" and "Has Anybody Seen My Dream?" (lyric by John Junkin). She had the good taste to record Berlin's "How Deep Is The Ocean?" and Robin & Rainger's "If I Should Lose You" with enormous sensitivity.

She's beautifully accompanied by bassist Bill Huntington, Gerald French on drums and Tom Fischer on tenor sax, all New Orleans musicians. And first and foremost by husband Laurie Holloway on very tasty and swinging jazz piano.

Mr Holloway conducts regularly for Stephane Grappelli, Dame Edna Everage and Elaine Paige. He has accompanied Kiri Te Kanawa, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Anthony Newley...and many more. He has won numerous awards, and written a musical, "Instant Marriage", which played in London's West End. Marion and Laurie's combined credits would fill a large volume. I for one, am looking forward to their autobiographies.

If this sounds like a love letter - it probably is. I've devoted my life to keeping this music alive, so I'm very appreciative of anyone who does it with such care and love, and does it so well.

Year 2016 | Vocal Jazz | FLAC / APE

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