October 1998

Carla White
Live At Vartan Jazz
Vartan Jazz

By Dave Burns

White's fifth CD is from a concert in Denver, but this "live" recording may not do her justice: scant vocal presence and Harvie Swartz's bass dominate the mix. Robust support by Mark Soskin, piano; Joe LaBarbera, drums; and Jerry Hahn, guitar. Selections include Bird's "Bloomdido" in scat; "Second Time Around" as a waltz; "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" with the rarely heard verse and the chorus as a samba; two by Steve Rice-nice execution on "As Life Goes On" and swift scat on "That's It"; a tender reading of Carolyn Leigh's lyric on "Killing Time"; and "My Reverie" based on a "fantasia" of DeBussy. Standout track is a choice, straight "But Not For Me." An enjoyable CD, though blemished somewhat by lazy diction, excessive melisma, scratchy timbre. Want Ad: "Hard-working singer ISO big-eared engineer."