By Brian Morton | Published October 2019
Not the least impressive aspect of vocalist Gretje Angell’s debut recording is how consistently she maintains a warmth and accuracy of tone, even when the meter is fast. It might help coming from a dynasty of drummers—dad and grandad both played the traps. But one senses that her real gift is for the natural cadence of a lyric. That’s evident even in the Portuguese of “Berimbau,” on which she sounds like she hails from Bahia, rather than Akron. But it shows, too, on a perfectly paced “Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me” and a bossa version of “Love Is Here To Stay.”
She also has a secret weapon. The album title is a reference to guitarist and producer Dori Amarilio’s apparent ability to deliver a song exactly where Angell chooses to place it. He’s featured prominently on three duo readings of “Them There Eyes,” “One Note Samba” and a brilliant “Tea For Two.”
Albums a little—but only a little—like this used to murmur away in wine bars and nouvelle cuisine restaurants, but Angell doesn’t do wallpaper music. Every track has purpose, intent and quality. A truly impressive arrival from a singer who’s worked hard to get here.
... In Any Key: (Our) Love Is Here To Stay; I’m Old Fashioned; Fever; Deep In A Dream; Berimbau; Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me; One Note Samba; Tea For Two; Them There Eyes. (36:24)
Personnel: Gretje Angell, vocals; Dori Amarilio guitar; Kevin Axt, Gabe Davis, Chuck Berghofer, bass; Steve Hass, drums; Quinn Johnson, keyboard; Kevin Winard, percussion; Michael Hunter, trumpet; Budapest Scoring, orchestra.
