Holly Cole – Dark Moon

Dark Moon is the Canadian singer’s 13th opus. Always a winner for the artist who regularly tops the jazz and sometimes pop charts, the formula used on Dark Moon remains pretty much the same as on previous albums. Jazz, pop and country standards revisited in surprising, sometimes offbeat arrangements, but always with a highly personal vision. Take Steppin’ Out With My Baby, with its stripped-down blues feel, or Johnny Guitar, accompanied by a Morriconian guitar. The voice, misty as ever, but perhaps more rounded in the bass, seems to grow fuller with time. And that’s good news. In a few places, I also heard reminiscences of Susie Arioli in the timbre but also in the occasional references to country, although the style is very different overall. 

Cole is very well accompanied: Aaron Davis (piano), George Koller (bass), Davide Direnzo (drums) and John Johnson (saxophone). They are joined by guitarist Kevin Breit, two-time Grammy-winning harmonica player – and original member of Bella Fleck and the Flecktones – Howard Levy, and the 1950s Nashville-style three-part harmonies of The Good Lovelies.

No disappointment here for all those who have long appreciated this artist.