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Julie Mason: Twelve O'Clock Tales

Vocalists who play the piano are some of the most interesting in jazz and unfortunately all too rare in New Zealand. Julie Mason, though not as adventurous harmonically as American Shirley Horn for example, is a passionate improviser with great be-bop phrasing and that rare ability to double her scat lines with piano. Her tone is warm and sensuous particularly in the lower register and her diction exceedingly clear in a Cleo Laine type of way. This is a beautifully recorded mainstream jazz album and deserves to sell many copies. The musicianship is high class and technically sharp yet sympathetic. The magical moments happen on the ballads such as You Taught My Heart to Sing and You Don't Know What Loves Is though the 3/4 West Coast Blues gives the whole band one of its most unconscious workouts. It is a spirited version of an uncommon vocal tune.

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