Rachelle Garniez Born In Time
While some roots listeners may find it peculiar to embrace an opening number in French, they should consider that Cajun-Zydeco tunes are also sung in French. This particular undertaking isn’t that kind of song, but it’s quite simply charming. Rendered with a chanteuse vocal touch, smooth & enchanting. “Je Cherche Un Homme” (“I’m Looking For a Man”) is a nice intro to New York City’s Ms. Garniez, who momentarily will remind nostalgic listeners of Edith Piaf, who was wonderful in her own interpretations of chansons.
I like the exploration of foreign tunes – many, especially French, Spanish & Italian are melodic first — the rest fall into place. Rachelle continues with the tender “Lilac Wine” with superb lyrics & Euro-melodic touch — a filet of chords. Lovely. The French melodic treatment of a much-covered song, “Harbor Lights,” is applied to a song made famous by Sammy Kaye, The Platters & good enough for Elvis Presley. Rachelle takes this on a slow, sultry, sincere, breathy trip — as if singing it up close to your ear. She made me stop typing to listen.
Rachelle’s vocal flavors have dalliances with jazz, Tin Pan Alley & American songbook tunes – with pensive, accessible, easy-listening compositions. “I’ll Never Be The Same” comes with a sad, muted Chet Baker-oriented trumpet & tinkling piano. Simple, it goes to the heart. The 10 coherent vintage tunes on Born In Time (Dropped May 22/Stand Clear/41:41) gracefully grip a listener.
Produced by Andrew Morse with Rachelle’s own arrangements, it was recorded in NYC with a small group. “Lucky Day” is a Garniez original that maintains the quality of the expressive song choices she’s covered. She must have learned her lessons well because she’s everything a ‘40s & ‘50s singer of the middle-of-the-road arena embraces.
She has qualities that breeze along in a Joni James manner, a Julie London style, a Peggy Lee embellishment, an Edith Piaf mystique. Oh, yeah. And…the Euro-flavored “Down Among The Sheltering Palms” features Rachelle on accordion. This tune is lively. Along with its good melody, lyrics & performance, it has atmosphere. The John “Scrapper” Sneider trumpet returns & is accentuated just right throughout the verses & takes the liberty of a little solo – adding color with Rachelle’s vocalese. Quirky to some — plausible to others.
Songs like these can get dangerously sappy. “Rose of Washington Square” comes close, but Rachelle maintains a contemporary sense of control & prevents fate from befalling the tune. “Raglan Road” & Bob Dylan’s “Born In Time” keep everything solid in what is essentially a delightful album.
Highlights – “Je Cherche Un Homme,” “Lilac Wine,” “Harbor Lights,” “I’ll Never Be The Same,” “Lucky Day,” “Down Among The Sheltering Palms,” “Raglan Road” & “Born In Time.”
Musicians – Charley Drayton (drums/percussion), Jon Cowherd (piano/organ) & Paul Nowinski (bass).
CD cover image courtesy of George De Castro Day. Color image by Albie Mitchell. CD @ Amazon & https://rachellegarniez.net/