GAUCHO

Pearl

2011-06-14

“Pearl” is the fourth release from San Francisco sextet, Gaucho. You wouldn’t know listening to this that Gaucho is a contemporary band, performing original works. (Except for two covers... “Avalon” by Al Jolson and “Lover Come Back To Me” by Hammerstein/Romberg.) Heavily influenced by Django Reinhart, Gaucho makes gypsy jazz that sounds as if it came right out of a 1930’s Parisian club. More than half the songs on “Pearl” are instrumentals and normally that would suit me just fine; but the vocals are what sets this band apart. Guest vocalist, Tamar Korn, has a voice that’s made for this music. When she’s not singing lyrics, she often mimics the muted trumpet (“Little Sweetie” “Sing On”). Her voice is so unusual that it’s sometimes difficult to distinguish between voice and instrument. (Check out her theramin-like vocals on “Avalon”.) Aside from the vocals, the rest of the band is tight, but relaxed, giving “Pearl” an overall atmosphere of good times. Rebecca Ruth

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Jazz

  • reviewed 04/2005

    Afterthought
    Jazzgrass

  • reviewed 01/2004

    Nicholas Payton
    Sonic Trance

  • reviewed 02/2014

    ANTON SCHWARTZ
    FlashMob

  • reviewed 07/2012

    DAFNIS PRIETO PROVERB TRIO
    Dafnis Prieto Proverb Trio

  • reviewed 02/2017

    Azar Lawrence & Al Mclean
    Frontiers

  • reviewed 04/2008

    Travis Sullivan's Bjorkestra
    Enjoy

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.