A veteran Southern California singer long known for his passion for vintage swing and timeless balladry, Jack Wood cleverly titled his recent album The Gal That Got Away as a way to introduce American audiences to his friend Nichaud Fitzgibbon, Australia’s premier jazz stylist.
While she appeared as a guest on two tracks on that project, the two are equal partners on the magnificent, stylish and nostalgia-tinged Movie Magic: Great Songs from the Movies. The title says it all about the dynamically and exquisitely arranged 16 tracks, most of which are well known (“I Only Have Eyes for You,” “Moon River,” “Skylark”), while others are delightfully obscure (“The Shining Sea,” “Close Your Eyes”).
While each of the five solo songs they sing are catered to their individual vocal strengths (Wood’s elegant, soulful croon, Fitzgibbon’s sensual tenderness, playful swing and flair for the dramatic), the best tracks are the six featuring their sparkling rapport and otherworldly harmonizing.
While these two great vocalists could make their magic work in a much simpler setting, Movie Magic is an epic production featuring more than 30 guest musicians and arranger, including The Salt Lake Jazz Orchestra and jazz notables Rob Mullins (who arranged and performs a dazzling piano solo on “I Only Have Eyes For You”) and Doug MacDonald, who contributes a soulful, sensitive guitar solo to the breezy, string caressed “The Shining Sea.” Hopefully, this will only the beginning of some delightful dual recordings by these two charming vocalists!
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