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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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