Marty Elkins opens the album
with “You Turned The Tables On Me,” her beautiful voice backed by just bass at
the start. There is something amusing about this song, particularly in lines
like “I always thought when you bought/The
lovely presents you bought/Why hadn’t you bought me more.” This track
develops into a fun, sweet version, and includes just a bit of scat at one
point. That’s followed by “On Revival Day,” a song written by Andy Razaf, and
recorded by Bessie Smith. The first time I listened to this disc, the moment
this track began, I found myself with a goofy grin on my face. This one is an
absolute delight, a bit of blues, a bit of gospel, a bit of New Orleans jazz,
and a whole lot of joy. This song rhymes “hallelujah”
and “peculiar,” so there. I love the work
on trumpet. This song feels like a spiritual celebration, and is bound to lift
your spirits.
Things then turn mellow for
“How Can You Face Me,” a song about the end of a romance, written by Fats
Waller and Andy Razaf. But after a moment, it kicks in with a nice steady
rhythm, like she has decided she should not have to suffer. After all, it’s the
guy’s fault, he was the one being dishonest, and she’s not going to remain down.
“After you broke each vow/How can you
face me now?” she asks, perhaps even challenges, him. There is more
wonderful stuff on horn, and also guitar. Then on “That’s All There Is To That”
Marty Elkins’ vocal performance has me entranced. It is smooth and sexy, and
contains more than a dash of humor.
The trumpet gets “It’s Too Hot
For Words” going, like a call to open our windows, to come out into the streets.
This is one of my favorite tracks, and it certainly feels like the perfect song
right now. “It’s too hot for words/There’s
nothing like relaxation/Can’t endure this temperature/But if you want to make
love, okay!” Amen! I love the excitement and joy in her delivery of “Okay!” Her humor shines through on this
track. There is more lovely work on horn.
Actually, each of the musicians gets a chance to shine here, and I particularly
love Taro Okamoto’s drumming. The fun continues with “Cow Cow Boogie,” with
that cool rhythm on piano and some delicious stuff on horn and keys. There is a
nice little jam here, and a certain playfulness to Marty’s vocal performance.
“Fat Daddy,” the album’s title
track, is another fun and delightful tune to get you moving and shaking. “I’ve
got men who are younger, handsome too/They just don’t move me like you do.”
This track features some nice work on guitar, but it’s the horn that really
makes this one so enjoyable. There is a bit of a New Orleans flavor here, which
I love. “These Foolish Things” is a romantic number that, like most romantic songs
these days, makes me think of my girlfriend (“Don’t get mushy,” she reminds me,
too late). “Those stumbling words that
told you what my heart meant/A fairground’s painted swings/These foolish things
remind me of you.” The album then
concludes with “Trav’lin’ All Alone,” a groovy and catchy number with a
prominent bass line.
CD Track List
- You Turned The Tables On Me
- On Revival Day
- How Can You Face Me
- That’s All There Is To That
- It’s Too Hot For Words
- Cow Cow Boogie
- I Cover The Waterfront
- It’s A Pity To Say Goodnight
- My Old Flame
- Fat Daddy
- I Can’t Face The Music
- Sugar
- These Foolish Things
- Trav’lin’ All Alone
Fat Daddy was released on July 6, 2018 on Nagel Heyer Records.
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