Sophisticated Ladies

Vibraphonist Peter Appleyard's Sophisticated Ladies is a feature for ten Canadian female vocalists, many of whom aren't widely known outside of their homeland. The rhythm section includes pianist John Sherwood and guitarist Reg Schwager, plus two veterans who add spark to any date, bassist Neil Swainson (who long worked with George Shearing) and drummer Terry Clarke (who has worked with countless greats). There are no liner notes to give background on the vocalists, each of whom is featured on an individual standard or pop song of yesteryear, arranged by Rich Wilkins. As a result, there isn't a lot of risk-taking and the music tends toward the predictable, though Jill Barber's seductive vocal in the funky treatment of "Love for Sale" breaks the mold. The up-and-coming vocalist Sophie Milman has gotten quite a publicity push with her first three CDs; she tackles Tadd Dameron's longing ballad "If You Could See Me Now," occasionally getting overdramatic but capturing the song's essence. Carol Welsman's playfulness comes out in the breezy samba treatment of "Night and Day," accompanying herself on piano in Sherwood's place. Barbra Lica is assigned the unenviable task of tackling "Satin Doll" and does a respectable job, though Molly Johnson's raspy treatment of "Sophisticated Lady" is unremarkable. If Peter Appleyard's goal was to simply give greater exposure to these Canadian vocalists, he has succeeded, though it could have been improved with a more diverse selection of material.