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  | MACIEJ MIECZNIKOWSKI & KRZYSIA GORNIAK ~ TRIBUTE TO NAT KING COLE
DUX 1237 (Barcode: 5902547012377) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion
Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015
This is an album by Polish vocalist / guitarist Maciej MiecznikowskiFind albums by this artist and female guitarist Krzysia GorniakFind albums by this artist, who present their interpretations of eleven songs associated with the legacy of American singer / pianist Nat King ColeFind albums by this artist. The pair is accompanied by veteran Polish Jazz rhythm section: bassist Pawel PantaFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam LewandowskiFind albums by this artist and the excellent Polish Atom String QuartetFind albums by this artist (violinists Dawid LubowiczFind albums by this artist and Mateusz SmoczynskiFind albums by this artist, violist Michal ZaborskiFind albums by this artist and cellist Krzysztof LenczowskiFind albums by this artist).
Miecznikowski sings the songs in a very straightforward manner, very closely to the original performances. His English pronunciation and accent are bearable, but not ideal of course, part of the usual insurmountable problems that Polish vocalists face while singing English lyrics. He uses his smooth baritone voice with skill and intelligence and all in all his vocal performances are fine, but not exceptional and surely not extraordinary.
The string arrangements are also pretty mundane, kept well in the background and adding very little to the overall effect. Of course Atom String Quartet is a superb ensemble, but here their role is severely limited, not to say a stronger word.
The rhythm section does its job amicably, but again there us very little it can actually contribute within this concept.
The only ray of sunshine on this album is the incredible guitar work by Gorniak, who really shines from start to finish. She plays a real Jazz guitar, something almost completely absent on today´s scene with all the guitarists playing Fusion or God only knows what, but surely not Jazz guitar.
In short there is almost no reason to listen to this album other than to listen to some great guitar parts, since what is the sense in listening to pale versions of songs when one can hear the originals? A decent album, that´s what it is ;)
| | Updated: 12/05/2017Posted: 12/05/2017 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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