Lets Get Lost

Dawn Lambeth grew up in Rochester, NY “where I was lucky to have a really strong music program in school, and the Eastman School of Music nearby.” A classical piano student, she enjoyed singing, but had not considered it as a career option. “While I always loved to sing, I never really took my singing very seriously, it just seemed like something you did.  And I walked the fence in college [at Boston University], never confident enough to audition for the music school, but taking as many classes as I could talk my way into.  My roommates in college were all opera majors, so maybe I was a bit intimidated by my lack of formal training.” Initially drawn to modern jazz, Dawn’s move to Pittsburgh put her in contact with a “20's/30's/New Orleans/Dixieland band.  Everyone in the band sang a number or two and that's how I got started singing this style, getting exposed to the old songs, singers.  It was a musical epiphany to me, I had always listened to and loved more modern jazz, but always felt like a 'poser' when I tried to play or sing it, and had just about given up being a jazz musician.”

Fortunately, Dawn did not give up, and a move to southern California brought her to the Usonia Jazz Band, specializing in the music of the 20s, 30s and 40s. For her second recording, Dawn draws on some of the crown jewels of the era from the pens of Rogers and Hart, the Gershwins and Cole Porter; yet she also finds more obscure fare like “Dream Man,” “I Wish I Were Twins,” even a seldom heard Gershwin tune, “I’ve Got Beginner’s Luck.” Notes Dawn of the playlist, “We tried to combine a bunch of songs that seemed to resonate with our audiences when we perform them (‘C'est Si Bon,’ ‘They Can't Take That Away From Me,’ ‘My Blue Heaven,’ etc.) with songs that we really love but don't hear that often... Sometimes a recording will just stick with me and I'll have to sing it.  Or I'd just try to imagine what I wanted to hear, and I know I wanted to hear a particular musician soloing on a particular song.” 

Dawn Lambeth©Allyson Magda

A gentle piano intro from Chris Dawson opens the set and title track (from Frank Loesser and Jimmy McHugh), immediately casting the recording in swing mode. Soon we “get lost” in Dawn’s charms, her subtle phrasing giving the tune just enough forward motion; John Smith adds another dose of easygoing charm on alto sax. Far less known is another Loesser tune, “I Wish I Were Twins,” rendered in a bouncy hot club stride thanks in part to the guitar/bass/drum support of John Reynolds, Clint Baker and Jeff Hamilton. Swinging brass stands out here as well, with Marc Caparone (cornet), dad Dave Caparone (trombone) and John Smith (soprano sax), while Dawn shows her mastery of swing phrasing. 

Three tunes from the Gershwins include “They All Laughed,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” and the seldom heard “(I’ve Got) Beginner’s Luck.” The latter, in addition to showcasing Dawn’s impeccable delivery of lyric, features the sweet clarinet of Bob Reitmeier and the steady guitar pulse of John Reynolds. This song should find its way onto more playlists. More common, “They All Laughed” is nevertheless a fresh presentation, enlivened by Marc Caparone’s crackling cornet. And most familiar, on “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” Dawn varies her phrases enough to avoid falling into complacency, as does Smith on alto and Marc Caparone on cornet. A pair from Rogers and Hart includes the lovely “With A Song in My Heart”—listen carefully, the phrasing is subtle but essential to the swing feel and appreciation of each word, with little hesitations, lilts, elongated notes. Again, clarinet and guitar add a layer of musical calm. “Blue Room” is a relaxed but acrobatic vocal exercise and Dawn is up to the task, her articulation clear, her lyrics the star. Here Hamilton effectively switches to piano, Reynolds to banjo, and Baker to bass—all as stridefully joyful as they are versatile. 

Personally I love Diana Krall’s version of Irving Berlin’s “Isn’t This a Lovely Day (to Be Caught in the Rain)?” Dawn takes a more conservative approach to the phrasing consistent with a swing-era arrangement, but is no less effective in bringing the feeling of joy to the lyric. And Reynolds’ whistling just adds to the relaxed vibe. That mood continues into the next track, “Give Me the Simple Life,” introduced by clarinet and guitar, then set up gaily by Chris Dawson’s piano. By tune’s end, we’re all free from care and strife! Another tune I associate fondly with Diana Krall, “It Could Happen to You,” is given the romantic ballad treatment, not as sultry as Krall, but an earnest, almost wistful swing.  

“Dream Man” (Milton Ager and Joseph Young) was new to me, and the instrumental introduction hooked me immediately, particularly Dawson’s piano, Dave Caparone’s trombone and the deep pacesetting from Baker’s prancing bass. If this multitalented band has a single track that displays its skills and charms best, it’s “Dream Man.” And if Dawn Lambeth has a single standout track (which, really, is not limited to one), perhaps it’s her longing phrases on “If You Were Mine,” introduced by John Reynolds’ guitar, Dave Caparone’s soulful trombone and some of Chris Dawson’s most intricate piano phrases. 

It’s too difficult to single out among the rest: the delightfully mischievous “Let’s Misbehave” (great banjo from Reynolds); the lovely voice/guitar duet intro (and more) with Reynolds on “My Blue Heaven;” the French café-in-the-sunshine joy of “C’est Si Bon;” Dawn’s bright lilt above the band’s sweet swing on “I May Be Wrong (But I Think You’re Wonderful);” the heavier syncopation of “I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues;” and the marriage of voice and brass in utterly swinging satisfaction on “On the Sunny Side of the Street.” 

Let’s Get Lost takes the listener on a joyous journey down the sunny side of Swing Street. Every song reveals a deep well of supportive musical talents and, thanks to Dawn Lambeth, every word, every verse opens like a perfect rose. Let’s Get Lost is a delightfully fragrant bouquet. 

For ordering information and more about Dawn Lambeth and the Usonia Jazz Band, visit www.dawnlambeth.com