Laurie Dameron – I Can’t Wait To See You Again

LAURIE DAMERON

I Can’t Wait To See You Again, 2008
Reviewed by Mark L. Altobelli

The 2008 release, I Can’t Wait To See You Again, by local jazz guitarist/vocalist Laurie Dameron captures the true essence of a bygone era.  The torch singers in smoky lounges everywhere had a relaxed, gentle conversation with the audience and Ms. Dameron has unleashed the past with this disc.
Songs like “Blue Moon”, with Laura Newman’s sax interjecting emphasis on Ms. Dameron’s guitar and sugary vocals, segues lively into Duke Ellington’s “I’m Beginning To See The Light.”  This version swings faster and harder in Ms. Dameron’s  vision with a fluid, compact guitar solo and heartfelt voice.  The 1930 song, “Body and Soul” by Edward Heyman, has been used in many movies, most recently the documentary “Does Your Soul Have A Cold?” which explores aspects of depression.  This intelligent rendering is far from depressing.  I should mention here that the band on this CD is tight and loose, subdued and excited at appropriate times.  Dexter Payne adds a nice clarinet “On The Sunny Side of the Street” as Holly Halverson twinkles the piano on “When Sunny Gets Blue”.  Bijoux Barbosa and Michael Olson supply ample deep end and Larry Thompson brushes in fine time.  Bob Rebholz does some alluring flute accents on Antonio Jobim’s “How Insensitive”, intertwining with Ms. Dameron’s guitar.
Helping convey in large part to Ms. Dameron’s past-life is the aforementioned Laura Newman.  Her sax rings bright with the intimate settings portrayed, especially on “I Can’t Wait To See You Again.”  This is a classic jazz vocal track, written by Dameron; questioning love lost, but with optimism.  ‘But when it comes to romance, I’ve never been understood.’  It feels like candles are lit, the table set, waiting for someone to sit down.  The past is still waiting.  Still present.
For more information please visit: www.lauriedameron.com

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