By Scott Yanow | Published August 2018
Amy Cervini, a top-notch jazz singer who also is a member of vocal group Duchess, recently released No One Ever Tells You, a follow-up to 2013’s Jazz Country (Anzic). She has an appealing voice, displaying plenty of versatility throughout her recordings in both range and style.
This disc finds the singer joined by a colorful quartet that includes guitarist Jesse Lewis and pianist Michael Cabe, and organist Gary Versace guests on four selections. The first three numbers here—“I Don’t Know,” Lyle Lovett’s “God Will” and the title track—set the standard for the project. Versace’s organ is quite effective on the former two numbers, and Cervini is heard at her most expressive. She particularly digs into “I Don’t Know,” which deals with a slow recovery from despair, and “No One Ever Tells You,” which discusses not being properly prepared for life. After a swinging version of the 1930s obscurity “Please Be Kind,” Cervini takes listeners back to the 1920s for “A Good Man Is Hard To Find.” Lewis’ rockish guitar on that song is a bit jarring, but his playing on “Bye-Bye Country Boy” works better, inspiring some particularly passionate singing.
No One Ever Tells You: I Don’t Know; God Will; No One Ever Tells You; The Surrey With The Fringe On Top; Please Be Kind; A Good Man Is Hard To Find; You Know Who!; Bye-Bye Country Boy; One For My Baby; Hit The Road Jack. (49:49)
Personnel: Amy Cervini, vocals; Jesse Lewis, guitar; Michael Cabe, piano; Matt Aronoff, bass; Jared Schonig, drums; Gary Versace, organ (1, 2, 8, 9).
