The CD opens with an original
song titled “Chorus Angelorum.” I love the loose and immediate sound of just
vocals, bass, and drums. It’s a very cool sound and approach, and works to pull
us into the world of the song. The lines that stood out for me the first time I
listened to this disc are “Snow should be
falling/And you here with me.” Winter is approaching, though not here in
L.A., where it’s eighty degrees. But whatever the temperature, I am feeling the
end of the year approaching, and I am missing that someone special. This song
features a good lead on bass. Laura follows that with a cover of Cole Porter’s “Love
For Sale.” It begins as almost spoken word, giving us the feeling she really is
out on the street, selling her wares, working to gather a crowd of
potential buyers around her. The song then takes on a funky, jazzy vibe, and
features some absolutely delightful work by guest musician Zach Brock on
violin, as well as more great work on bass. I don’t recall ever hearing a
version quite like this one, and I seriously dig it.
Giovanni Falzone then joins Laura
on trumpet on “Luckier,” an original composition. “I know nothing about the rules of life/And I haven’t yet found any
answers/But I have seen many moons shining.” Ah, with the great, delicious
sound of this track, it seems knowing the rules of life is unnecessary,
irrelevant. At times Laura’s voice takes on a sweetness, and the trumpet
certainly has an attitude all its own, which I love. This song also features
some excellent and expressive percussion, helping to make it one of my
favorites.
Laura Campisi delivers an
intriguing rendition of Miles Davis’ “Nardis,” featuring lyrics that she added.
Though at first her voice is used in an unusual way; it’s not quite scat, but
almost like an animal or infant, someone communicating emotions without words.
And her lyrics emerge naturally from that, delivered with the same excitement
and wonder as the non-words. It’s kind of wonderful. “They say if it’s your lucky day/You will see Nardis coming your way.”
What exactly is Nardis, anyway? This is a strange track. She also covers “I
Loves You, Porgy,” giving a sultry, beautiful vocal performance. I’ve said it before,
but you can never go wrong with Gershwin.
“Here Where I Stand” is a very
cool track, an original tune with pop elements and a fantastic lead on saxophone
that is powerful, almost reckless in its urgency and drive. That’s Martin
Pantyrer on baritone sax. Laura Campisi’s vocal line is just as exciting as the
saxophone. If forced to pick an absolute favorite track on this disc, this
would be it. You should definitely check it out. She follows that with a
strange take on the Velvet Underground’s “Venus In Furs.” Her delivery is kind of
cute, adorable, at least at first. Venus
In Furs is a book I love. I’ve seen half a dozen film versions but none of
them have quite gotten it right. But where the films generally fail, this song
always seemed to work. Laura’s rendition doesn’t have that haunting quality of
the original, but is intriguing in its own way, and builds gradually so that
suddenly you find yourself immersed in it. And then there is some wonderful
work on bass. This version ends suddenly on a strong note.
CD Track List
- Chorus Angelorum
- Love For Sale
- Luckier
- Hyperballad
- Ironman
- Nardis
- The More You Know
- I Loves You, Porgy
- Here Where I Stand
- Venus In Furs
- Mojo Pin
- Al Risveglio
- Morningside
Double Mirror was released on July 14, 2017.
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