Be Cool

Nancy Kelly, who recorded her debut album in 1987, recently released her seventh recording, Be Cool. She has a strong and appealing voice, swings even when sticking close to the lyrics of a song, and is not afraid to stretch herself.

Be Cool is Nancy Kelly's second recording with an organist and her first with William Gorman whose powerful and at time dominant playing is a throwback to Wild Bill Davis along with the 1960s giants of the Hammond B-3. Guitarist Dave Stryker, tenor-saxophonist Jerry Weldon, and drummer Carmen Intorre Jr. are also in the core group with tenor great Houston Person making two welcome guest appearances, and the title cut also including soprano-saxophonist Joe Carello and guitarist Charlie Sigler.

The 11 songs include "Devil May Care," a swinging "Besame Mucho," an effective "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," a surprising version of "As Time Goes By" that is taken at a racehorse tempo, and a scat-filled "Bebop Lives" (a vocalized "Boplicity"). Nancy Kelly sounds very much in prime form throughout this outing and, while I wish that the organ was a bit lower in the mix, the results are spirited and enjoyable. Be Cool is available from www.originarts.com.