Vivian Buczek: Dedication To My Giants (2011)

Bruce Lindsay

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2008

Bruce is the author of the blog Delicious Hot Disgusting Cold, and the photoseries "It's Not How It Sounds".

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Published: September 2, 2011

Dedication To My Giants, is Vivian Buczek's tribute to those giants of jazz who have inspired the Swedish vocalist's own work. While Frank Sinatra Frank Sinatra
1915 - 1998
vocal and Ray Charles Ray Charles
1930 - 2004
piano get a mention, Buczek's giants for are predominantly instrumentalists—John Coltrane John Coltrane
1926 - 1967
saxophone , Miles Davis Miles Davis
1926 - 1991
trumpet and Clifford Brown Clifford Brown
1930 - 1956
trumpet included—and as a result her song selection for this, her third album, avoids the most obvious vocal standards and gathers up some more unusual numbers. It's an impressive and enjoyable album.

The first five songs are bona fide jazz classics, and Buczek's interpretations are worthy additions to the canon. On Brown's "Joy Spring," with lyrics by Jezra Kaye, Buczek summons up the spirit of Annie Ross Annie Ross
b.1930
vocal . Her version of Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman and Michel Legrand Michel Legrand
b.1932
piano 's "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?" is beautifully performed, with only Claes Crona's piano for company. Horace Silver Horace Silver
b.1928
piano 's "Nica's Dream" swings gently, with Crona on electric keyboard and guest guitarist Andreas Oberg Andreas Oberg
b.1978
guitar adding a warm toned solo.

"Once You Love," written by Buczek and her father Bruno, also stands out. There's another fine vocal from Buczek, and more of Crona's percussive yet graceful piano. Charles' "I Got A Woman," a vocal duet with Roger Pontare, is less successful: Pontare's voice is ideal for interpreting Charles' vocals, but Buczek's lighter, smoother, style isn't as suited to the demands of this bluesy song.

Buczek sings "Very Early" by Bill Evans Bill Evans
1929 - 1980
piano and lyricist Carol Hall, accompanied by Kenji Rabson's sparse but sympathetic double-bass. Her phrasing and tone are excellent. As with her version of "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?" such a stripped-down musical backing is potentially risky, but both songs show Buczek's strength as a vocalist, as well as highlighting the talents of her accompanists.

Dedication To My Giants was recorded in 2009 but has not been readily available outside Sweden. Buczek establishes herself as a talented jazz singer, and a strong interpreter of ballads, with an ear for an intriguing mix of songs. Her work deserves to be known more widely.

Track Listing: Joy Spring; What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?; All The Way; Whisper Not; Nica's Dream; How Do You Keep The Music Playing?; My Shining Hour; Once You Love; I Got A Woman; Didma; Stockholm Sweetning; Very Early; Four.

Personnel: Vivian Buczek: vocals; Claes Crona: piano; Kenji Rabson: bass; Robert Ikiz: drums; Roger Pontare: voclas (6, 9); Andreas Öberg: guitar (5, 7, 9, 13).

Record Label: Crown Jewels
Style: Vocal