Life is Funny That Way
Fay Victor & Herbie Nichols Sung
There are several fine Herbie Nichols tributes around, but this one has a unique soul and earthiness created by Fay Victor's otherworldly singing and the adventurous spirit of her band. This...
Life is Funny That Way
Fay Victor & Herbie Nichols Sung
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There are several fine Herbie Nichols tributes around, but this one has a unique soul and earthiness created by Fay Victor's otherworldly singing and the adventurous spirit of her band. This...
About
Acclaimed vocalist-lyricist-arranger Fay Victor & her Herbie Nichols SUNG Quintet celebrate and thoroughly reconsider the rich legacy of jazz composer Herbie Nichols with Life Is Funny That Way, bringing it singing boldly into this century. Following on Billie Holiday, who famously wrote "Lady Sings The Blues" to Nichols' "Serenade," Victor developed this deep love project over the course of the past decade, after years of exploring the late composer's work.
This landmark album also the first time that a full program of lyrics were written & recorded for Nichols' compositions. The innovative arrangements - also by Victor - are brought to vibrant life by a long-dedicated & deeply gifted quintet of veteran jazz performers, with Michael Attias (alto & baritone saxophones), Anthony Coleman(piano), Ratzo Harris (bass), and Tom Rainey (drums). A group united by their mutual love of both Nichols' writing and Victor's estimable artistry.
The source material is from Nichols' Blue Note sessions of 1955-56, plus three compositions not recorded in his lifetime. The erudite & extensive liner notes, which include key elements of Nichols biography, were written by esteemed jazz critic & author Kevin Whitehead (NPR's Fresh Air).
LP includes full-res download card, and is a strictly limited one-time pressing, edition of 500.
Contents and tracklist
Side A
1. Life Is Funny That Way
2. The Bassist
3. Bright Butterfly
Side B
1. Sinners, All of Us!
2. The Culprit Is You
3. Shuffle Montgomery
Side C
1. Tonight
2. Lady Sings The Blues
3. Twelve Bars
Side D
1. Descent Into Madness
2. Non-Fraternization Clause
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Awards and reviews
There are several fine Herbie Nichols tributes around, but this one has a unique soul and earthiness created by Fay Victor's otherworldly singing and the adventurous spirit of her band. This is a superb album, one of the most delightful releases of the year so far.
May 2024
Victor is a contemporary improviser and singer of the highest order and this work shows that her ability to walk the tight rope between avantgarde and mainstream has now pushed her to a creative peak.
