...a rich and swinging affair, with powerful, impeccably performed arrangements...Music full of joy...
With Nancy Wilson & George Shearing's The Swingin's Mutual as a model, Washington, DC-based vocalist Darden Purcell and co-producer, arranger, guitarist and husband Shawn envisioned a modern take on that quintessential 1960s sound for her third recording as a leader. Enlisting the dynamic New York vibraphonist Joe Locke, along with pianist Todd Simon, Jeff Reed on bass and drummer Todd Harrison, her sextet tackles the virtuosic soli passages of Shawn's arrangement of "Willow Weep for Me," captures the intimacy of Johnny Mercer's title track, and swings hard behind Darden's Annie Ross-inspired lyrics on "Chatterbox."
"Whether deftly delivering lyrics, or joining the ensemble in intricate musical lines, Darden is completely at ease and in control...this is music making at the highest level." Alan Baylock
Track Listing:
1. Willow Weep for Me 6:37
2. Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood 6:24
3. Come Back to Me 5:41
4. It's a Most Unusual Day 5:48
5. I Concentrate on You 4:57
6. A Cottage for Sale 5:35
7. Estrada Branca (This Happy Madness) 5:55
8. Chatterbox 7:24
9. Estate 7:09
10. Taking a Chance on Love 6:32
11. You've Changed 5:21
Performers:
Darden Purcell - voice
Joe Locke - vibes
Shawn Purcell - electric and nylon string guitars
Todd Simon - piano
Jeff Reed - acoustic bass
Todd Harrison - drums and cymbals
Production Info:
Produced by Darden Purcell and Shawn Purcell
Recorded by Charlie Pilzer at Tonal Park, Takoma Park, MD
March 16-18, 2023
Edited by Rich Sigler, Sigler Music Productions - March, 2023
Mixed & mastered by Dave Darlington at Bass Hit Recording, New York, NY
Photos by Suzette Niess Photography
Arrangements by Shawn Purcell
Make-up by Elzi Camacho
Cover design & layout by John Bishop
Reviews of Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood
Michael Doherty's Music Blog (Michael Doherty)
Darden Purcell is a vocalist who has performed with the Airmen Of Note, as well as several other artists. She put out her first album, Easy Living, in 2009, and followed it in 2016 with Where The Blue Begins. She opens her new album with a seriously cool, bluesy rendition of "Willow Weep For Me," which features a strong vocal performance. This trac ...
Wild Mercury Rhythm (C Michael Bailey)
Darden Purcell is the Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice instructor, and director of the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble at George Mason University. As such, she is an in-demand jazz educator who has been a guest artist/clinician/conductor at Capital University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech, Southern Nazarene University, Tiff ...
Jazz Weekly (George W Harris)
Darden Purcell has an effortless swing to her voice, teamed with all star vibist Joe Locke as well as her own team of Shawn Purcell/g, Todd Simon/p Jeff Reed/b and Todd Harrison/dr. She displays her clarity on an intimate and emotive meeting with and Locke Simon on "You've Changed", making one wish for an entire album as such. Likewise, her duo wit ...
