Sunny Wilkinson and Tom Garvin
Tunes
Heart
Charlie's Tune
It Could Happen To
You
But Not For Me
Triste
If I Were A Bell
O Cantador
A Gentle Time
I've Grown
Accustomed To His Face
This Can't Be Love
But Beautiful
Journey
A Gentle Time
When Sunny Meets Tom
There comes a time in an artist's life when, as an aged wine, they reach that certain moment when they¹ve matured and the wine is ready for all to savor and enjoy. Sunny Wilkinson has arrived at that plateau in her career as an artist and it¹s exciting for those of us that have followed her to this point.
As most artists in the jazz world, it can be very difficult to get noticed beyond those of us that pursue perfection while disregarding the repetitious, banal tumult that assaults our senses wherever we go. Sunny has been around a while and has passed on her art through teaching others and, in between, we¹ve been rewarded with her wonderful music.
The element that makes this body of music very special is the communion between Sunny and pianist Tom Garvin. They play off each other and challenge each other taking risks and having a ball along the way. It all comes into fruition through this wonderful CD.
Charlie's Tune is a delicate ballad penned by Sunny and sung with a personal intimacy that naturally comes across. Sunny sings this with warmth while Tom Garvin's accompaniment is tender and complimentary.
My favorite piece, O Cantador is taken several steps slower than usual and is a fragile testimonial
to Dori Caymmi's evergreen.
This can't be love starts
out as a free type exchange as Sunny pulls away and swings her way through this
happy romp.
All through this CD the mood and
reflections expressed by Sunny and Tom come through and are felt by the
listener. They both have a bunch of fun on Frank Loesser's
if I Were A Bell. Sunny shows off her
vocal range and some scruffy and funky scatting while Tom romps neatly on some
stride licks.
Antonio Carlos Jobim's
Triste gets off with some Mark Murphy
like accents before Sunny sings the line. Tom follows with a sparkling solo to
bring it back to Sunny who employs some sensual, half Portuguese - half English
reading of the Jobim classic.
The title track, A Gentle Time,
penned by Sunny and Ron Newman tells a sweet story, Sunny¹s specialty, beautifully spun by
Sunny and Tom.
It's been a while
between reviews of Sunny's music. This welcome new release is haunting, soulful and
the spirit of the songs have been captured by two musicians who obviously understand
each other both spiritually and musically. I highly recommend this music to
anyone that savors the taste of wine aged well while nourishing the
intellectual palate through the ears and heart.
Review Jazz Zine
High Wire Sunny Wilkinson
Purchase this CD and Dig Some Samples