Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » E. J. Decker: Bluer Than Velvet: The Prysock Project

3

E. J. Decker: Bluer Than Velvet: The Prysock Project

By

Sign in to view read count
E. J. Decker: Bluer Than Velvet: The Prysock Project
E. J. Decker probably could write a book if they asked him—his shaping influences and history of musical collaborations (not to mention social activism) would make it a fascinating one indeed—but it would be so much nicer to hear him sing it. A voice smooth as, well, velvet (pardon the obvious simile) lets him put a rich soulful stamp on anything from that Great American Songbook to classic rock or folk. For this long-in-coming labor of love, though, it's all about shining a light on the oft-overlooked Arthur Prysock: a dim smoky blue light, of course, preferably accompanied by a dry martini.

Bluer Than Velvet should do a service in nudging more listeners to remember or discover Prysock's R&B croon, though Decker's similarly cozy deep baritone lets this affair stand most appealingly on its own. The set consists of classic standards mellowed like a well-aged whiskey, unspooling at the easy pace of a wee-hours lounge set to ease the crowd through last call and last drinks. Most were Prysock staples, though Decker also throws in a couple others he never recorded—a lightly jaunty "On the Street Where You Live" making one album's highlight—which still fit the program like a glove.

As Decker's drawl ekes the life and love out of each syllable, the band lightly swings in style just as tasteful to match. Enticing trombone and baritone sax complement his low register with smooth shades of cabaret and blues; they and the dreamy piano and rhythm section could have stepped straight out of a lush Blue Note session from the 1950s. The themes lean on the wistful side—note the choice of "What a Difference a Day Made," featuring the song's mature side alongside a couple autumnal titles—yet there's a fair share of smiles too. Whatever the song or the mood, count on Decker to deliver it in a way all his own.

Track Listing

You Had Better Change Your Ways; Autumn in New York; What a Difference a Day Made; Blue Velvet; Why Can't You Behave?; Since I Fell for You; It's Too Late (Baby Too Late); When You Walked In the Room; He Loves and She Loves; When I Fall in Love; On the Street Where You Live; I Could Write a Book; (I Don't Stand) A Ghost of a Chance; September in the Rain.

Personnel

E.J. Decker: vocals; Claire Daly: baritone sax; Chris Bergson: guitar; Les Kurtz: piano; Elizabeth Frascoia: trombone; Saadi Zain: bass; Tom Melito: drums.

Album information

Title: Bluer Than Velvet: The Prysock Project | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Candela Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.