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Nancy Wilson
A Nancy Wilson Christmas
(Telarc)
For some jazz singers, grace is a forgotten virtue. They're so concerned with rerouting their melodies that they overlook the poise needed to give a tune its
center. Happily, Nancy Wilson demonstrates nothing but grace on this quite eloquent disc. Whether she's in front of a large ensemble or cozy combo, she brings a balance to her performance. Somehow it makes everything a bit more convincing. From the gospel ferver of "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" to the tranquil tone of "All Through the Night," Wilson makes these songs absolutely glow. Part of the skill set that gets her to such a place is the ability to make a lyric sound conversational - an increasingly rare talent in jazz these days. By the conclusion of "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" you feel like you've been listening in on a chat between two lovers. The disc's tracks are smartly laid out, too. Reeds rise and fall, the New York Voices ooh and ahh, a trumpet solo wraps itself around a melody like tinsel, and Wilson glides in and out of the action. And when she stretches out that "Gloria" phrase on "Angels We Have Heard On High," you'll know what playful elegance really is. This is a disc that says "experience counts."
Jim Macnie
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