Vocalist and composer Gregory Porter has released his much-awaited sophomore album, Be Good, the follow-up to Water, which made huge waves in the jazz world in 2010. Sophomore albums tend to make fans and critics a bit nervous due to expectation and anticipation, so I'll save you some time and anguish - Gregory, once again, delivers! Strong musicianship, horn arrangements by Kamau Kenyatta, and Porter's booming, yet expressive voice, make this record a true crowd-pleaser.
Gregory has once again proven that colorful and descriptive lyricism is not something that died off with Mercer and Berlin.He tells the story of his regular trips on the A Train in "On My Way To Harlem," and dreams up a heart-tugging fable of young love and rejection in "Be Good" (Lion's Song). He also throws in some killer interpretations of standards, like the hip swinging "Work Song," and an a cappela "God Bless the Child."
Gregory Porter has, once again, outdone himself. If you listen to these pieces over and over again, you'll hear a different version every time he tells you a story.
*WRTI's Maureen Malloy and Bob Perkins will bring you an exclusive interview with Gregory Porter on Tuesday, May 1st at 7 pm. Tune in!