A casual observer of Carol McCartney's career might be forgiven for thinking of the highly-regarded singer as somewhat of a "professional guest". The country's foremost jazz players have been spicing up their recordings with guest turns by the singer for years and audiences have often enjoyed her featured performances alongside some of the premiere players in jazz.But the release of Carol's own jazz project A Night In Tunisia may change that perception. This time, she is the driving force, and some stellar players join as her guests to collaborate on a musical vision all her own. McCartney shines in arrangements designed to allow her to do what she does best: sing great songs beautifully, with support from jazz greats such as Peter Appleyard and Guido Basso.
Produced by Carol and Dennis Patterson at CBC's famed Studio 211 and arranged lavishly by John Sherwood, the recording features Sherwood on piano, recent Order of Canada recipient Dave Young on bass and drumming-phenom Terry Clarke. Reg Schwager's guitar shines on I Thought About You and there is a cool spin by guitarist Geoff Young on You Don't Know What Love Is, an arrangement that transcends through a gorgeous solo by flugelhornist John MacLeod.
"I brought together a lot of circles in my life with this one, working with the players that I've been shoulder to shoulder with for more years than it would be prudent for a chick-singer to admit, says McCartney with a wink. So when you call these guys and every one that is on your first-call list says ˜yes", it's just really gratifying. And then when they're in the studio with you and they pour so much heart into it-well, it's exciting and humbling and heart-warming. I think you hear that heart in the tracks."
Carol's impeccable vocals and finely-tuned musicianship are front-and-centre and guest soloists help take the cuts over the top. These include performances by legend Peter Appleyard on East of the Sun; the incomparable Guido Basso on flugelhorn for The Shadow of Your Smile; a bass duet with Dave Young on Dat Dere; and Chase Sanborn, Bob Brough and John MacLeod, great jazz players all, trading phrases with Carol through various tracks on the recording.
Carol has been featured on stage and recordings all across the continent. Touring exensively, fronting major symphony orchestras in the U.S. and Canada with clarinet prodigy Dave Bennett, Carol has also appeared at many major jazz venues and festivals. She sits in often with John MacLeod and his Rex Big Band at the Rex Hotel, and has been featured on many recordings, including JUNO-nominated Freeflight, the Big Band.
For more information about Carol and her upcoming shows, visit carolmccartney .
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