Early this month, singer-musician Gunhild Carling released her new album, Jazz is My Lifestyle. Carling’s fourth album (according to information on her official website – gunhildcarling.net) the 11-song collection of originals is a joy for any big band jazz fan and is yet another welcome addition to this year’s field of new jazz albums. This is proven throughout the album from the blend of Dixieland and big band in the album’s opener/title track to the Count Basie Orchestra-esque ‘Fire Alarm’ to the gentle, flowing ‘Winter’s Day,’ which even includes a trumpet solo that so clearly links itself to the beautiful works of legendary trumpet player Louis Armstrong. All three songs are standout entries to this album in their own right. When they are considered alongside the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes Jazz is My Lifestyle an impressive album that is clearly among the best of this year’s new jazz albums.
Jazz is My Lifestyle, the latest full-length studio recording from singer and musician Gunhild Carling, is a presentation that will fit the lifestyle of any jazz (and more specifically big band jazz) fan. That is proven throughout the album, including right from its outset in its opener/title track. The nearly four-minute opus opens with a full-on Dixieland jazz style approach that quickly leans into more of a standard big band composition. The way in which the one melds into the other is itself impressive. The two in themselves are just as impressive. The whole is the kind of work that immediately makes audiences want to get up and dance so happily as the horns belt their way through the song, including Carling herself, who apparently plays both trumpet and trombone on the song. Carling’s vocals, speaking of her performance, are right there with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald as she sings about the joys of jazz and how happy it makes her. Her message is delivered clearly and because of the infectious nature of how she delivers said theme alongside her fellow performers, it translates clearly from beginning to end. To that end it is sure to keep listeners just as joyful and happy.
‘Jazz is My Lifestyle’ is just one of the songs featured in this record that makes it so enjoyable. Later in the record’s 40-minute run, Carling and company impress just as much in another way with ‘Fire Alarm.’ The frenetic energy exuded by the saxophones alongside the horns and the drums immediately conjures thoughts of the famed Count Basie Orchestra hit, ‘Jumpin’ at the Woodside.’ The sound and stylistic approach here makes the comparison easy but at the same time still ensures Carling and company’s song still maintains its own unique identity that is just as wonderful. The whole makes for such a wonderful energy that it is sure to put a fire under any listener and get said audiences up on their feet again.
‘Fire Alarm’ is hardly the only moment in this album in which Carling and her fellow musicians keep things interesting. The group actually slows things down a few times here and there throughout, one of the most notable of which being the late entry, ‘Winter’s Day.’ The gentle use of the string arrangement alongside the equally subtle horn arrangements pair with Carling’s clear winter love song to make the song comparable to various romantic songs recorded by the likes of Sarah Vaughan from decades long gone. Hearing her vocal performance and that noted overall arrangement – including the Louis Armstrong style trumpet solo – makes the whole come across like a song released from a time capsule buried ages ago. It is a great way for couples at all stages of relationships get closer especially when old man winter returns and forces everyone indoors. When it is considered alongside the other songs examined here, the trio works with the album’s remaining songs to make the record in whole easily one of the best of this year’s new jazz albums.
Jazz is My Lifestyle is without question, an impressive new outing for singer-musician Gunhild Carling and her fellow big band musicians. This is proven from beginning to end of the outstanding album. This is proven as each arrangement changes the sound and style just enough while so warmly paying homage to the big band sounds of a bygone era. Each of the songs examined here makes that clear. When the noted songs are examined along with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes Jazz is My Lifestyle one of the best of this year’s top new jazz albums and a must have for every big band fan.
Jazz is My Lifestyle is available now through independent jazz label, Jazz Art. More information on Jazz is My Lifestyle is available along with all of Gunhild Carling’s new album at:
Website: https://gunhildcarling.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gunhildcarlingfanclub
Twitter: https://twitter.com/g_carling