CATHERINE RUSSELL – SEND FOR ME (JAZZ/VOCALS):

Accomplished song stylist Catherine Russell changes things up just a bit on her April 1, release, Send For Me. Not that the Steely Dan band vocalist needs to fix anything regarding her prior releases: 2019’s Alone Together made my best-of list for that year, and I always catch Russell’s invigorating live show whenever I can. This, her eighth studio release, has a bigger feel. Produced by Russell with long-time collaborators Katherine Miller and Paul Kahn, Russell’s classic-yet-expansive vocals are enhanced by the horn section on “Send for Me” – a song closely associated with Nat “King” Cole. Her bluesy take adds elements to the song I’ve never noticed before. “Going Back to New Orleans” is another favorite, with strutting rhythm, touches of banjo and tuba all supporting Russell’s laidback vocal. Here’s another example of Catherine Russell transporting the listener to other locales with her delightful vocals and stunning arrangements. I guess some things never change.