Softly (Roseanna Vitro album)


Softly is the fourth album by jazz singer Roseanna Vitro, released in December 1993 on the Concord Jazz label.

Reception

awarded the album 4½ stars, with reviewer Scott Yanow citing Vitro's proficiency with both lyrics and improvisation, as well as the strong support lent by pianist Fred Hersch and saxophonists Tim Ries and George Coleman.
The album fared well in contemporaneous reviews as well. The Los Angeles Times awarded three stars out of 4, with critic Leonard Feather commending Vitro's delivery, choice of material, and affinity for Brazilian music, although taking issue with a couple of the tempos selected – in particular, for "Softly As in a Morning Sunrise" The Washington Post's Mike Joyce expressed no such reservations, citing the album's combination of "hoice songs, distinctive interpretations, sensitive musicianship":
"Falling in Love With Love," the opening track, readily reveals Vitro's gifts as a vocalist. She shapes phrases like a horn player, infusing some words with rhythmic vitality and softly attenuating others, while never losing sight of the composer's intentions. As the album unfolds. Vitro continues in the same vein, elegantly balancing jazz liberties with uncomplicated storytelling and lessons learned the hard way.

Track listing

  1. "Falling in Love With Love" - 3:37
  2. "In Summer " - 5:36
  3. "A Song for All Ages" - 4:54
  4. "Softly As in a Morning Sunrise" - 4:38
  5. "Moon and Sand" - 4:24
  6. "So Many Stars" - 6:05
  7. "I'm Through With Love" - 3:44
  8. "Wild Is the Wind" - 6:17
  9. "Life I Choose" - 4:18
  10. "Our Love Rolls On" - 3:54
  11. "Nothing Like You" - 3:07
  12. "Why Try to Change Me Now?" - 5:11
  13. "I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues" - 4:45

    Personnel