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Article: PATTI AUSTIN "For Ella" Playbo ...
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- May 17, 2002
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Although the new releases by Patti Austin, Janis Siegel and Steve
Tyrell are vocal concept albums, the results are decidedly mixed.
"For Ella," Austin's tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, is refreshing,
all right, but in a way more likely to appeal to her fans than those
of the honoree. The vintage pop and jazz songs are a big plus, since
they often make Austin's catalogue of contemporary R&B tunes seem
awfully slight by comparison. And it's nice to hear her perform such
tunes as "Too Close for Comfort," "Our Love Is Here to Stay" in big-
band settings that frequently recall the orchestras led by
Fitzgerald's cronies Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Still, don't
look for many reminders of ...