Artist: Mandy Barnett
Album: Every Star Above
Label: Melody Place Music / BMG
Release Date: 05/07/21
Just the opening track “But Beautiful” justifies the 100 is sitting in the score box. One listen to the first few notes that rise up from a magnificent 45-piece orchestra, gathered in a century-old former church (Ocean Way, Nashville) lets you know you are in for something very special. Superbly arranged, it fades to a gentle whisper as Mandy Barnett lights the torch to a 1947 Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke definition of the many things that love is. Her voice instantly draws you in closer, accompanied only by Kerry Marx’s guitar, not unlike the way Tony Mottola once enhanced Johnny Mathis. It pours the wine for what’s going to flow for the next 40-some minutes that leaves you wanting more. The song’s the thing, and it’s all just incredibly beautiful—heartbreaking perhaps—but beautiful.
“Play it again, Sam!” I wish he could, but this turned out to be legendary arranger Sammy Nestico’s swan song. Sammy’s storied career included working with Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, Sarah Vaughn, Count Basie, Buddy Rich, Quincy Jones as well as arranging countless TV shows and movies. He came out of retirement at 94 years old to do this final project for his friend and visionary producer Fred Mollin. Unable to travel to Nashville to attend the sessions, Sammy watched it from his California home. He was overwhelmed as the orchestra gave him a standing ovation for his charts. Sammy passed away this year at age 96.
With this tower of sonic strength in place, it had to inspire Barnett just as Billie Holiday’s 1958 album “Lady In Satin” did. Far more than a remake, it pays tribute to Lady Day’s final recording, while reimagining it. In my book, Fred Mollin is a master at reimagination. Regardless of what genre she tackles, Barnett has one of the finest voices I’ve ever been fortunate enough to hear. Here she brings it all home. Her tone, phrasing and interpretations are as brilliant as every star above. If I were the keeper of the stars, my wish would be that the creators of these great American Songbook standards were still around to hear this record.
—Ken Spooner
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