About three years ago, I enjoyed an enchanting first encounter with Linda Ciofalo on her wide-ranging, sun-inspired material and inventive interpretations of lyrics on her second release, Sun Set. [Click here for review] I thus eagerly anticipated her next recording, and this tribute to Johnny Mercer does not disappoint. Again with cohorts John DiMartino on piano and Joel Frahm on sax, Ciofalo adds John Benitez (bass), Ernesto Simpson (drums), Little Johnny Rivero (percussion), Paul Meyers (nylon string guitar), Chieli Minucci (electric guitar and effex), and Brian Lynch.(trumpet). 

Thirteen tunes cover Mercer’s most familiar works, from “Tangerine” to “Come Rain or Come Shine,” along with somewhat lesser known gems like “Talk to Me Baby” and “P.S. I Love You.” Like her muse, Ciofalo mines that wide range of human emotion that comes from everyday experience and resonates with each listener’s own stories. And to Mercer’s (and our) benefit, her vibrant swing can turn gloom into joy; her storyteller’s passion recounts love lost and found; her voice moves easily from sultry to salty to sassy. Above all, on Dancing With Johnny, singer Linda Ciofalo presents the words of Johnny Mercer as if revealing their meaning for the first time. 

“Tangerine” is a spirited opening track, the full ensemble creating the feel of a Latin big band, especially when it comes time for Brian Lynch to solo. “Talk to Me Baby” should get more play among songbirds; maybe Linda’s softly samba-like rendition will encourage others. Simliarly, “Early Autumn” is under-performed despite its beautiful melody; here the band offers lush support (especially pianist DiMartino, bassist Benitez and, again, Lynch) while Linda’s wistful interpretation raises this well above the usual jazz ballad.  There’s definitely some “Black Magic” afoot in the tropical percussion section on one of Mercer’s most-sung tunes, Ciofalo offering swinging understatement that puts the focus on one of the band’s finest moments. 

“P.S. I Love You” is not Lennon/McCartney but rather a lovely waltzy swing propelled by Benitez and Linda’s gentle story. But how to refurbish such a worn-out standard as “Skylark?” Maybe add some wahwah guitar lines? Change the phrasing just enough, highlight Linda’s gorgeous bottom register? Credit Ciofalo and her band with a track that is as ear-catching as a new tune. A similar challenge faces anyone attempting “Moon River.” Linda helps us forget Andy Williams and that this was originally pop fare, with plenty of support from the string men, Benitez and Paul Meyers. Meyers again serves as a melodic foil for one of Linda’s most effective tales on “One for My Baby”, accented by Joel Frahm’s mournful commentary on sax. Frahm and DiMartino share honors supporting Linda’s sweet rendition of “I Remember You.” The final “Come Rain or Come Shine” is taken as a bossa-busy, funky-free jaunt where electric guitarist Chieli Minucci cuts loose just long enough to bring this outstanding Mercer revue to a joyful close. 

Available at CD Baby, www.cdbaby.com or visit www.lindaciofalo.com  

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites