8

6.2

UK release date 12.07.2007

Versatility is Patti Austin’s middle name.

Possessing a voice that’s as smooth and sensuous as the finest quality silk, the Big Apple-born singer has topped the US pop charts, (1982’s ‘Baby Come To Me’), scored a clutch of Stateside R&B hits in the 70s and 80s, and made myriad appearances as an in-demand background vocalist, including stints singing behind rock acts like Steely Dan and Nils Lofgren). Following in the wake of Austin’s first real solo foray into jazz - 2002’s Grammy-nominated ‘For Ella’ – she’s back in tandem with the German-based WDR big band for another enterprising jazz homage. As its title implies, ‘Avant Gershwin’ is a celebration of the music of jazz composer George Gershwin, and features the 56-year old singer putting her own unique spin on standards like ‘Lady Be Good,’ ‘Funny Face’ and ‘Love Walked In.’ She also delivers a stellar performance on an enterprising and superbly-arranged 17-minute medley based on Gershwin’s celebrated opera, ‘Porgy & Bess,’ which features an enchanting rendition of ‘Summertime.’

Perhaps the finest example of Austin’s extraordinary vocal artistry yet.
Words Charles Waring