Indiana-born, San Francisco Bay Area vocalist-lyricist-performer Dee Bell, elicted notice for her mellifluous sound from the late Eddie Jefferson, who told her “that’s a fine sound mama, just keep on singin’.” Less than a year later, that same unique sound was championed by the late Eddie Duran and Stan Getz for Dee’s first album on the Concord Jazz label, followed by a second Concord album with Eddie, and with Tom Harrell. These were followed by four recordings on the Laser label, including this new release with two new “Now” songs, and 8 popular “Then” favorites from Dee’s previous Laser releases which include her lyrics for Ivan Lins By Chance, and Don Sebesky’s You Can’t Go Home Again, and her arrangement of You’re My Thrill.
Jazz critics have reviewed her sound as “warm with West Coast sophistication, husky, pure-voiced, haunting, jazzinflected, pure, tender, with supple phrasing that takes you inside the lyrics.” Influences of Chris Connor, June Christy, Peggy Lee, Irene Krahl, Anita O’Day, Cleo Laine, and more are present in her style.
Love for Sailin’ Over Seas: Then & Now kicks off with a joyful Marcos Silva samba arrangement of Abbey Lincoln’s I Got Thunder with Lubambo’s masterful and felicitous guitar solo, and I’ll String Along with You showcases Lubambo’s acoustic guitar deft elegance. The 8 re-releases, with 7 of the full 10, arrangements by Marcos Silva deserve new ears.
Bell has collaborated with Marcos Silva, Houston Person, Romero Lubambo, Erik Jekabson, John Stowell, Andy Narell, and Michael Spiro, to name just a notable few. She has performed domestically and internationally for many years.
Albums: Let There Be Love, One by One: Concord Jazz | Sagacious Grace, Silva.Bell.Elation, Lins, Lennox, & Life, and new release, Love for Sailin’ Over Seas: Then & Now: Laser Records.
Track Listing
“Now”
1. I Got Thunder [and it rings] 4:04
2. I’ll String Along with You 4:33
“Then”
3. Harvest Moon 4:16
4. Beijo Partido [Broken Kiss] 4:53
5. You’re My Thrill 5:42
6. By Chance [Acaso] 5:39
7. Boa Nova 5:13
8. You Can’t Go Home Again 5:39
9. Watch What Happens 5:39
10. The Face I Love 3:16
Dee Bell - VOCALS
Marcos Silva – Electric & Acoustic Pianos
the late Al Plank, Piano
Romero Lubambo – Electric & Acoustic Guitars
John Stowell – Electric Guitar
Scott Thompson – Electric Bass
Tyler Harlow – Electric & Acoustic Bass
John Wiitala, Acoustic Bass
Celso Alberti – Drums
Colin Bailey, Phil Thompson, Zack Mondlick – Drums
Erik Jekabson – Flugelhorn
Houston Person, Chris Sullivan – Saxophone
Michael Spiro – Congas, Percussion
