Reverie

Just shows how looks can be deceiving. Judging the book by the cover, vocalist Carrie Wicks appears to be someone who'd be comfortable interpreting the Crosby, Stills and Nash songbook. Instead, the Norah Jones-toned lady has a soulful sizzle to her voice, giving us some original pieces that are clever, catchy and swinging. She teams with Bill Anschell/p, Brent Jensen/ss-as, D'Vonne Lewis/dr and Jeff Johnson/b, with the tunes ranging from a rich teaming of voice and piano on "Remember" to saucy Latin work on "Paginas En Blanco." She slinks like she's got sawdust under her shoes on "A Love For Just Part" and is relaxed like she's nursing her Merlot during a rich read of "Some Other Spring." She can go from coy on "Wide Open" to funky on the post bop "Shadow Play" without dropping a stitch. If she hits So Cal, don't miss her!