Behind the Voice

Drummer Clarence Penn has spent much of his career playing with jazz singers like Betty Carter, Little Jimmy Scott, and Diana Krall. He has also played with jazz conceptualists like Dave Douglas, Stanley Clarke and Adam Rogers. His new recording combines these parts of his career on an interesting conceptual record of pop and rock songs written by (or inspired by) some of the great rock and pop drummers. Penn arranged all the compositions with a very contemporary R&B approach and enlisted a roster of musical guests that include Gilad Hekselman, Adam Rogers, James Genus, and Shedrick Mitchell. The guest singers include Kurt Elling, Aaron Marcellus, Toku, and Emily Braden; and Penn even sings (with a vocorder) on two tracks. His song selections are quite interesting including Stevie Wonder's "Send One Your Love," Levon Helm's "Growing Trade," Peter Gabriel's "Come Talk to Me," Prince's "Sometime It Snows in April," Foo Fighters "Everlong," Don Henley's "Heart of the Matter," and Phil Collins'"Why Can't it Wait Till Morning." The concept of the recording is strong, and the versions of the tunes are very interesting and enjoyable. The versions of "Heart of the Matter,""Growing Trade," and "Why Can't it Wait Till Morning" are the strongest tracks and Penn's best arrangements. Penn's own "You Are" is also a good song that is sung by vocalist Chelsea Jackson.