Patti Austin | Sound Advice
Patti Austin – Sound Advice
By Peggy Oliver
(Advance Review - CD to be released Jan. 25th, 2011)
Listen to song samples from "Sound Advice" on our R&B/Soul Page by clicking here!!
Patti
Austin’s extraordinary voice is a songwriter’s sweetest dream. Since
she bowed on the stage at The Apollo Theater at age four with her
godmother Dinah Washington, Austin was highly destined to be a
songwriter’s best friend. Her maturity as a vocalist grew as a teenager
touring with the legendary Harry Belafonte. So it came naturally for
Austin to choose the business they call show in her adult life. Session
work came frequently and often with some of music’s prolific names like
Cat Stevens and George Benson. Yet it would take some time for the
industry to recognize Austin as an important musical force. From one of
Quincy Jones’ regular cast of vocalists for his label Qwest Records in
the eighties to her distinguished solo career and many duets in between
(especially with James Ingram), the New York native has captured the
hearts of jazz, soul, R&B and pop audiences. Austin’s extensive
repertoire encompassed dance music (“Rhythm of the Street,” “Reach”),
James Moody’s jazz classic “Moody’s Mood for Love” alongside Benson; the
Gershwin songbook for her 2007 release - Avant Gershwin,
and much more in between. In other words, no one could truly put Austin
in one box. She has worked steadily as a solo recording artist
beginning in 1976 with End of the Rainbow; even with the occasional bumps of bruises critics bestowed upon her and sporadic radio play.
Through the years, Austin has inspired songwriters with her talent and classy vocal delivery. Her latest disc, Sound Advice, affords
the vocalist an opportunity to choose songs from various composers that
deeply touch her in different ways. Austin’s eclectic musical taste on Sound Advice
is also a special treat considering the depth of material she has
covered through the years. It is only fitting that the veteran
vocalist recruited some of her closest musical friends to make this mix
of pop standards, classic and modern rock, adult contemporary R&B
and folk ballads come alive. This stellar lineup includes Greg
Phillinganes (who arranged several tracks on Sound Advice), Paul Jackson, Jr., Freddie Washington, John Robinson and Neil Stubenhaus.
Sound Advice has
some gospel flavored pieces such as "You Gotta Be," the inspirational
pop hit by Des’ree and Bob Dylan’s "Gotta Serve Somebody." The epic late
sixties rock masterpiece, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” is
proof Austin can rock out (in a soulful manner) just as hard as the
song’s creators – The Rolling Stones. Guitarist Jackson, Jr. sets a
solid funk foundation on Paul McCartney & Wings, “Let ‘Em In.” Where
Austin really excels is her impeccable phrasing with the Bill Withers’
signature hit - “Lean on Me,” the poignant folk ballad by Don McLean -
“Vincent” and the Paul Anka-composed anthem - “My Way.” Austin’s own
composition, “The Grace of God,” reflects her intense stance on the
issue of domestic violence. “Give it Up,” originally recorded by The
Jacksons in the early eighties, has an inviting, jazzy flair, thanks to
Phillinganes’ arrangements.
Though Allen usually represents her usual vocal excellence on Sound Advice,
there are a couple of disappointments along the way. Depeche Mode’s
“Enjoy The Silence” fails to distinctively stand out from the modern
rock band’s original version, and “Round & Round” (a song penned by
Austin and Phillinganes) is another eighties-flavored track that lacks
musical spark compared to "Give It Up" and the Brenda Russell
composition, "A Little Bit of Love." Despite the few clinkers, Austin
hits more right notes than wrong on Sound Advice,
considering the diverse material. And in the long run, her rich alto is
a reliable instrument that music aficionados and other songwriters can
usually count on, no matter what she puts down in the studio.
Peggy Oliver
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 1/11/2011 5:52 PM 
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Song Samples, Gospel
Tags: Rhythm And Blues Song Samples
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Song Samples, Gospel
Tags: Rhythm And Blues Song Samples
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