Barbara Carroll Albums (18)
'Live/Her Piano and Trio'
Release Date 5/10/2005
Tracks 8
Label Warner
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Barbara Carroll is one of the pianists that only New York City grows. There has been a long line of these sophisticated, stylish, elegant producers of music including Buddy Weed, Cy Coleman, and Bobby Short holding court in some lounge or room at one of the more upscale hotels. Like Short, Carroll also sings, delivering the lyrics in a smoky, highly personalized torch song as on "Can't You Do a Friend a Favor?" But the piano is the instrument where she makes her major musical statements. Once a disciple of Bud Powell, who was uptown, Carroll apparently decided that downtown was more to her liking. So over the 50 years or so that she has been recording, starting in 1949, there has been a movement away from the complexities of Powell's playing while still retaining the great pianist's elegant way with the melody line. You hear Powell influences on such tunes as "One Morning in May," "In Walked Bud," and "Zingaro." Carroll has earned the respect to be able to draw some of New York's top-notch jazz musicians into the studio with her. There's Ken Peplowski adding his mellow, woody clarinet on "I'm in Love Again," tenor sax on "I Could Make You Care," as well as the trumpet of Randy Sandke on "Bemelman's Blues." Her rhythm section partners, Joe Cocuzzo and Jay Leonhart, are among the Big Apple's first-call drum and bass players, respectively. One Morning in May offers more than 65 minutes of polished jazz performed by some of the best the genre has to offer. It's nice to know there they are still jazz musicians out there like Carroll who can add class to the music without detracting from its improvisational base. Top-drawer stuff and highly recommended. ~ Dave Nathan, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Barbara Carroll is really two musical personalities in one: a swinging jazz pianist (influenced in part by Teddy Wilson and George Shearing) and a cabaret singer. Over half of the standards on this CD, a tribute to composer Jerome Kern, put the emphasis on Carroll's veteran voice, making this a set of greater interest overall to cabaret collectors than to jazz fans. As a vocalist, Carroll does not improvise much, and she treats each word as if it were precious. This tendency also carries over a bit to her instrumental ballad interpretations; every note of her version of "Yesterdays" sounds written out in advance. In contrast, her piano playing on bouncier material (particularly "Look for the Silver Lining" and "The Way You Look Tonight") is full of adventure, and there are some fine cameos from trumpeter Randy Sandke and guitarist John Pizzarelli (who sings effectively on "Why Do I Love You"). But the strings (arranged by Mitch Farber), which are heard on half of the selections, do not help a bit. Definitely a mixed bag. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
On Carroll's 19th effort, she interprets some of her personal favorite songs (hence the title, taken from the Cole Porter number performed here). The record also dips into the songbooks of Stephen Sondheim, Harold Arlen, Charlie Parker and Billy Strayhorn. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
This is one of the better later recordings by Barbara Carroll. A bop-based pianist and a cabaret singer, Carroll balanced her two very different skills quite well throughout the date. There are a few instrumentals along the way (including "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Lester Leaps In") which team her with Jerome Richardson (heard on tenor and alto) and Art Farmer (on the trumpet) along with drummer Joe Cocuzzo and either Jay Leonhart or Frank Tate on bass. The overall music is more jazz-oriented than some of Carroll's recordings and her soft-spoken vocals are generally a delight; however, it is her swinging piano that consistently takes honors. A fine all-around set that serves as a good introduction to the music of Barbara Carroll. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The veteran pianist and occasional vocalist provides intimate reworkings of standards, some bluesy repertory, and singing, plus some solid piano solos. The heat comes via trumpeter Claudio Roditi, who brings some energy to the date. Bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Akira Tana complete the rhythm section. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
