Lettau, Sprague together again

I do not think Kevyn Lettau’s Bye Bye Blackbird CD was ever released here. It should have been. It is one of the best collections ever of American standards and with a sultry Brazilian touch. It is just remarkable what her sweet undulating tones did to bring new life to the likes of I’ve Got You Under My Skin, I Concentrate on You, I Fall in Love Too Easily, Let’s Fall in Love and others.

Those who have not had the good fortune to listen to that album should be able to get an idea of Lettau’s brilliant performance in What is Enough? This is her new release wherein she once more shares the spotlight with guitarist Peter Sprague. Mostly made up of her own originals, the CD also includes her versions of old favorites like Almost Like Being in Love which is almost as good as Ella’s and You Don’t Know What Love Is. Very nice. And I would really like to hear Kevyn do more of the same.

But that is not what What Is Enough? is about. This is an album by Kevyn and Sprague. I remember picking up a CD titled Brazil Jazz way back in the ‘90s and finding their names in the credits. That was the time when Kevyn burst into stardom with Sunlight. So I wondered what was in Brazil Jazz and got one. I liked what I heard and found that the blonde beauty was far from being just another one hit wonder. All light and easy tunes but smartly rendered with a little Latin tilt and in the accompaniment, Sprague’s remarkable guitar picking.

It is a fact that the barest of accompaniment as in a single guitar can complete a song the way a 50-piece orchestra could. But only when the guitar is in the hands of a master. That is what happens in What is Enough? Sprague plucks, strums and sometimes adlibs his way through the songs. Kevyn’s voice is in fine form throughout and she allows herself to be taken for the ride, improvising, scatting a bit or just simply singing.

What is Enough? has originals she co-wrote with various collaborators like Heed My Call, Drawn To You, Patience, What is Enough? Heroes of the Day and the sprightly Cantar, which she co-wrote with Sprague and which is one of the best cuts in the CD. She has also taken on contemporary pop tunes like Belief by John Mayer; Have a Talk with God by Stevie Wonder; and for a Latin spin, Waters of March by bossa nova’s Jobim.

Local fans, who like their music old and familiar these days, will be glad to know that the album includes Sunlight, their big favorite from Kevyn. Take note though that this is not the same song they know from some 20 years ago but an entirely new version made for voice and guitar. It still sounds beautiful.

Still in the mood for jazz? Then you might want to check out Just Rhythms. This is a compilation of assorted pop tunes but all with a jazzy bent. And when I say assorted, I really mean as varied as possible, like rock with John Waite’s Missing You to R&B with Freddie Jackson’s You Are My Lady and the country-tinged Sexy Eyes by Dr. Hook. Leading the pack is Better Days by Dianne Reeves, which like Sunlight was a jazz staple for trendy Pinoys during the late ‘80s.

You want more compilations? Then get a hold of the ultimate set in the stores these days. This is Love 101 and it says I love you through six CDs containing 101 songs. Listening to this one feels like having programmed the playlist for your own radio stations. The hits and these are all love songs just keep on coming.

Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx; Crazy for You by Madonna; Tonight I Celebrate My Love by Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson; Against All Odds by Phil Collins; To Where You Are by Josh Groban; I Get Weak by Belinda Carlisle; Loving You by Minnie Riperton; To Be With You by Mr. Big; Just When I Needed You Most by Randy Vanwarmer; Goodbye My Love by James Blunt; If You Leave Me Now by Chicago; Reality by Richard Sanderson; and many others.