Eve Haslam - Beautiful Love (2014)

"A very expressive and lightly swinging singer, Eve Haslam made a strong impression last year with her debut recording 'A Thousand Years Ago'. While that set featured her joined by a quintet, on 'Beautiful Love' she is heard in a more intimate setting that perfectly fits her warm and inviting voice.

Accompanying her on the 11 love songs of 'Beautiful Love' are pianist Bill Covington (from Asheville, North Carolina) and bassist Shannon Hoover (from nearby Greenville, South Carolina), both of whom play with subtlety, sympathy and impeccable taste. They contribute concise solos that add to the appeal of the music.

Eve Haslam and her musicians are very spontaneous throughout these performances, but because they listen closely to each other and think in similar ways, the music flows logically from one selection to another with no missteps or hesitant moments. Ms. Haslam starts out the set with a version of "Beautiful Love" that builds up gradually in passion while displaying her beautiful voice. She introduces the memorable melody of Matthew Breindel's "Bossa Nova Sundays" (which receives its debut recording), scats very well on Antonio Carlos Jobim's "If You Never Come To Me" and, on a surprising version of "I'll Be Seeing You," is quite effective during her single wordless chorus.

Throughout 'Beautiful Love', Eve Haslam alternates interpretations of the lyrics with scatted and wordless sections. In all cases, she gets her message across. Other highpoints include the rewarding obscurity "How Does The Wine Taste," a swinging "I Concentrate On You," and a heartfelt rendition of "Solitude."

'Beautiful Love' is highly recommended to fans of tasteful and quietly inventive jazz singers." ~Scott Yanow, Jazz Journalist and Music Critic

Tracklist:

01. Beautiful Love (5:19)
02. Boss Nova Sundays (3:05)
03. I'm In Love Again (4:42)
04. If You Never Come To Me (4:28)
05. I'll Be Seeing You (2:14)
06. How Does The Wine Taste (2:41)
07. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life (3:22)
08. The Face I Love (3:46)
09. I Concentrate On You (4:30)
10. Solitude (5:36)
11. Moon River (4:35)