I’ll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey Personnel: Regina Carter, violin, Xavier Davis, piano (except 4),Matthew Parrish, Bass, Alvester Garnett, Drums, (Except, 4 & 9) Additional Guests:Dee Dee Bridgewater, Vocals ( track-3 & 9), Carla Cook, vocals (tracks 5,6,&9), Paquito D’Rivera, clarinet, Gil Goldstein, accordion. Tracks: Anitra's Dance; Little Brown Jug; Bei Mir Bist Du Schˆn; Sentimental Journey; You Took Advantage of Me; St. Louis Blues; A-Tisket, A-Tasket; Blue Rose; This Can't Be Love; How Ruth Felt; There's a Small Hotel; I'll Be Seeing You.

Regina Carter’s I’ll Be Seeing You: A Sentimental Journey, the violinist pays tribute to the memory of her late mother, Grace Carter, in a swinging journey through the some of the classic songs of the 1920s,30s and 40s that her mother loved during her youth. This album is beautifully produced, and Ms. Carter has some outstanding musicians joining her on this session, which will make this an intriguing listen for many.

The opening tune, Anitra’s Dance, is an arrangement that follows the footsteps of the John Kirby Orchestra’s small group arrangement from 1939. Paquito D’Rivera and Gil Goldstein contribute era-like performances and create interesting dialogue.

This is followed up with Mir Bist Du Schoen, featuring a wonderful vocal interpretation by Dee Dee Bridgewater. Again, Golstein plays a marvelous supporting solo, Carter is on and Dee Dee grabs the improvisation with the perfect timbre!! The arrangement on Du Shoen was done by the albums producer, John Clayton. Clayton finds the right mix of period and features for D’ Rivera and Goldstein. They’re both a wonderful compliment to Regina.

Dee Dee Bridgewater also performs a gem on This Can’t Be Love. Dee Dee possesses a wonderful vocal instrument. She also displays one of the best improvisational interpretations in the business. Her solos are convincing and they swing with conviction.

Another vocalist on this disc who shows wonderful talent is Detroit’s Carla Cook. She sings on You Took Advantage of Me, St. Louis Blues, and There’s a Small Hotel. Cook, like her counterpart scats with convincing style. She also delivers a beautiful interpretation of There’s a Small Hotel. Her opening verse is communicated in a beautiful story-like manner, and her chorus is sung beautifully.

But this CD is ultimately about Regina Carter. She has surrounded herself with some great talent, who know what she is wanting achieve musically. Her discs are receiving wide acclaim for her choice of personnel, exquisite musicianship and the brilliant production that comes with her projects. The sound quality on this recording captures the great sound  a violin can bring to this idiom. I just love Goldstein and D’Rivera’s interpretations as well. They capture the era and mood, and display beautiful creativity.

Is this album innovative, maybe not. But, it’s going to capture a lot of listeners for the fine performances all the way around.
  

For more information about the music of Regina Carter, please visit: http://www.vervemusicgroup.com/