Amanda Carr - Tender Trap (2004)

With so many female vocalists releasing new jazz CDs in a given year, it is extremely difficult to grab one's attention; Amanda Carr's third CD, though released by a small label, has the ingredients necessary to do so. Carr is gifted with a pleasant voice, terrific diction and the ability to pick a wide-ranging program that neither skews to overly familiar standards or a heavy dose of originals. Accompanied by a fine trio led by veteran guitarist John Wilkins (with bassist Bronek Suchanek and drummer Kenny Hadley), her intensity comes across immediately in the stunning opener, "Never Will I Marry." Wilkins' superb guitar and guest Dick Johnson's perky alto sax underscore her lighthearted interpretation of Rodgers & Hart's "Do It the Hard Way." Carr delivers a swinging take of Duke Ellington's infrequently performed "Tulip or Turnip," with a smoking tenor sax solo added by Arnie Krakowsky. Suchanek's burning arco bass (together with Wilkins) introduce her exotic rendition of Abbey Lincoln's powerful "Throw It Away." She also makes her mark as a composer, offering the lively bop vehicle "I Couldn't Live Without You" (jointly written with Suchanek). Amanda Carr deserves greater attention in the jazz world.~Tender Trap Review by Ken Dryden