BY REQUEST
Artist: Sandy Graham
Sandy Graham, vocals; Gerald “Wig” Wiggins, piano; Ron Anthony, guitar; Richard
Simon, bass; Ralph Penland, drums; Pete Escoveda, conga/percussion; Herman Riley,
tenor sax; Dick Mitchell, flute; Harry Scorzo, violin 1; Robin Cecil, violin 2; Carolyn
Riley, viola; John Krovozo, cello; Karen Linkletter, cello; Ida Bodin, contra bass.
Sandy Graham has penned a solid straightahead Jazz tune that is also the title of her new CD entitled By Request. This song could easily become a standard Jazz tune and she sings it well. A familiar voice around the LA Jazz Scene, Graham has a unique way of choosing songs with interesting lyrics and beautiful melodies. To her credit, this
repertoire of song selections ventures way past the wellrepeated standards most vocalists sing and resing.
Something I Dreamed Last Night is sweetly arranged with strings and Graham’s rendition of Here’s that Rainy Day becomes a medley, incorporating It’s Nice
Weather for Ducks. Her unique arrangement keeps two old favorites fresh as a new
spring shower. Both Coat of Laughter and My heart Tells Me are songs not often heard
and all the more appreciated. Johnny Mandel is respected for his prolific and memorable
compositions. Close Enough for Love is no exception. Sandy performs it with
tenderness and deliberation. Detroiter, Teri Thornton once wrote a song for Los Angeles and Sandy Graham sings it for us on this CD. As a proud native of Los Angeles, Graham sings Thornton’s composition with deep sincerity. The Brown Skin Gal in the Calico Gown is a Duke Ellington composition cowritten
with P. Webster. Graham dances around the melody with Herman Riley sweetly filling in all the spaces in between. This entire album is a product of unforgettable musicians like Riley, (who we sadly lost last year) and Gerald “Wig” Wiggins on piano, Ron Anthony on guitar, Richard Simon on bass and Ralph Penland steady and flawless on the drums. They tackle Billy Strayhorn’s Lush Life. Although the vocals are a bit shaky at points, the arrangement is terrific. Graham’s rendition of Trouble is a Man is believable and touching. As usual, she surrounds herself with the best in musicians, high quality in song selection and her photo on the front of the album is beautiful.
Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil
April, 2008
Submitted to www.LAJazz.com

Dee Dee McNeil
April 2008

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