Janis Siegel – I Wish You Love

Janis Siegel
I Wish You Love
(Telarc – 2002)
by Ricky Miller

This latest solo outing by the famed Manhattan Transfer vocalist is a combination of Brill Building tunes like Go Away Little Boy (done oh-so smooth and silky), “Mr. Sandman,” and “Just a Little Lovin'”, as well as tunes from the ’50s and ’60s made famous by other Women in Jazz. Some of the classics include Nancy Wilson’s version of “The Masquerade Is Over,” Dakota Staton’s “The Late Late Show” and Etta Jones’s “Don’t Go to Strangers”. The cacaphony of harmonized vocals that closes I Want You To Be My Baby is simply fabulous.

Janis is accompanied here by an all-star cast of musicians including pianist Cedar Walton, tenor saxophonist-flutist David “Fathead” Newman, and trumpeter Tom Harrell. Throughout they keep the music sweet while allowing Janis to be the focal point, the spotlight that shines through. Guess Who I Saw Today again allows Janis to stretch beyond her beautiful yet scripted contributions to Manhattan Transfer, slowly sauntering through the tune hand in hand with Cedar Walton’s mellow keyboard work. Then she comes right back with a swing groove on I Wish You Love. This is a good listening CD for any jazz listener and a special treat for fans of Janis Siegel or Manhattan Transfer.