From the liner notes:
By her interpretation of Lennon-McCartney compositions Deborah demonstrates eminently the distinction between jazz and pop. Her feeling for phrasing, improvisation and variation brings excitement in these songs which she considers part of the soundtrack of her life. With a fascinating penchant for free-spiritedness she creates – in personal versions – a sparkling cocktail of contrasts.
Review from “BEATLES UNLIMITED” magazine –
On this jazz tribute, jazz vocalist Deborah J. Carter and her backing trio (plus a few guest musicians) opted for a mix of the obvious choices (And I Love Her, Yesterday) and a few not much covered ones (I Will, Fixing A Hole), as well as two medleys, the title track plus Trippin’, a vocalese composed by Carter and I Will coupled with Here There And Everywhere. Another striking thing is that she sings the songs from a woman’s perspective with gender changes in the lyrics when necessary. However, the main reason for buying this disc isn’t the track listing but the beautiful bright interpretations of the songs. With a gorgeous voice that is beyond dispute and the way she treats an up-tempo song like Day Tripper or a rocking Oh Darling by moulding them into her own soulful jazz or gospel style (With A Little Help From Her Friends) – it’s simply a delightful treat for fans of cover versions and sheer pleasure for anyone’s ears. And all embedded in exciting improvisations by her band, without losing sight of the original Beatles melodies – clearly made with respect and love for the compositions
If you thought the great tunes of Lennon & McCartney could never be reborn in another idiom, that only the Beatles’ interpretations were the end all and do all – think again. One listen to this album will convince you, that in the right hands, and with a fresh approach, those 30 and 40 year old tunes can sound like they were written just last week.
Simply put, I was spellbound in my first listen to this CD. It’s THAT good. It’s as though I’d never heard these songs before; having been given a red carpet treatment of modern chord changes and tasteful vocal styling, the result is an experience that a mere $15 could not buy anywhere.
This is without doubt among the finest albums I’ve bought in many years.
– Dan Goodman –
If you have never experienced Deborah J. Carter’s voice and style then you are truly missing something. Her backing band, is as tight a jazz combo as you will find anywhere. The treatment that the group gives these Beatles tunes is innovative and let’s the listener hear a perspective of Lennon & McCartney compositions that further proves the timelessness of the songs themselves as they are skillfully kneaded by the band.
– Dean Brown –
Songs:
Can’t Buy Me Love
And I Love Her
Ticke to Ride
Yesterday
Daytripper
I Will / Here, There, and Everywhere
Something
Fixing a Hole
Oh Darling
Things We Said Today
With a Little Help from my Friends
(Click on above link to hear audio samples)
Note: This program is available in various possible combo-settings.