Liz Child Quartet, "Take Flight," Vocalist Steps Out Nicely

Liz Child has all you expect in a good jazz vocalist, a good instrument, intonational precision, displacement, scatting and the little embellishments. All seems to come naturally out of her good musical sense. That is, on her quartet album Take Flight (self release).

It's a nicely put-together gathering of Ed Maceachen on guitar, Dan Fabricatore, contrabass, Anthony Pinciotti, drums, and of course Liz on vocals. There are the more or less standard standards done nicely and swingingly--"It Could Happen to You" "Dindi," "Bluesette," "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," etc. And then there are some things you don't necessarily expect: Cohen's "Hallelujah," and "Fake Blue Raincoat," Madison-Hughes "Bad Luck Card," and a convincing original (by Maceachen and Childs) with the title cut.

Rather beautifully done. Strong songs strongly interpreted, a loose and swinging band, nice guitar work. . . this one has that something that puts it well above the standard standard disk. Listen to it a few times and you'll be feeling good about it, I think.