CD Review: Inga Swearingen - Reverie

Inga Swearingen – Reverie (with The Bill Peterson Trio)
2005 Inga Swearingen

Inga Swearingen may just be one of the finest female vocalists in jazz today. Combining a voice that would make Sarah Vaughan proud with outstanding and aggressive songwriting, Inga Swearingen’s Reverie is a first-class hit.

The last Jazz vocalist who I found to be this distinctive was Cassandra Wilson. Ms. Swearingen has already cut her chops, winning the Shure Jazz Voice competition at the Montreux Jazz Fesitval, and appearing as a regular performer on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. Reverie is the sort of album I would love to have available on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Ms. Swearingen dances and trills her way (and yours) to a magical plateau where music and dreams meet.

Stomping’ At the Savoy is probably the absolute highlight of the album, allowing Ms. Swearingen to engage in vocal fireworks. Down By The Riverside and Just In Time are honest and glorious homages to the original versions

Inga Swearingen deserves a little of your time. On Reverie, she has made one of the most vocally proficient, technically sound and honest jazz recordings I’ve heard in some time. You would do well to check it out for yourself.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Inga Swearingen at www.ingradswearingen.com. You can purchase copies of Reverie at www.cdbaby.com/inga2.