Carolyn Fitzhugh: Living in Peace By Raul da Gama * May 4, 2019

Carolyn Fitzhugh had already established that she was an artist of the first order when she released her first album, Simply Amazing. But with the release of Living in Peace she takes her somewhat unique artistry to a whole new level. Having Mark Ruffin in the producer’s chair has helped as has a remarkable band led by pianist and arranger Amina Figarova. But it is Miss Fitzhugh’s smoky, soulful voice that creates the magical aura around the repertoire that she tackles on the disc.

While taking some liberties with pitch with what appears at first to be intervallic imprecision, Miss Fitzhugh always lands the phrase and line just where it should be by sliding gently into what seems like the place to be melodically speaking at the opportune moment in time. And while one might feel one’s heart skipping a beat at times, like all vocalists who worship at the altar of originality, Miss Fitzhugh seems to emulate same the brazen creativity that characterizes the vocalastics of her great ancestors such as Abbey Lincoln, Shirley Horn, Betty Carter and even Sheila Jordan.

Songs seem to speak in a very special way to Miss Fitzhugh as well and there is plenty of evidence of that on Living in Peace. She makes the diabolical changes of Gil Scott-Heron’s “Combinations” all her own where her musicianship is fierce as she digs into the expression of each word; something she does likewise with James Taylor’s “Secret O’ Life”. She swings with pile-driving precision on “Yes I Know When I’ve Had It”. And what makes her ballads extra special is the ceaseless variety that she brings to soft dynamics which, in turn, gives every phrase special grace just like in “Living in Peace”.

The full impact of this aspect of her work may be listened to on “I’m Not Alone” – a song in which she shares a breathtaking duet with Freddie Cole – and “Intimate Acquaintances”, another vocal treat, this time with Nanny Assis. Miss Fitzhugh’s own writing is quite unique in its own way. She does not rely on conventional rhymes, preferring to tell jazzy stories which unfold much like the great improvising soli of great jazzmen. As a result you will find yourself entranced not only by the music, but also the stories that Miss Fitzhugh unravels for you.

The superb band is also in lock-step with Miss Fitzhugh and performances by Rez Abbasi, Wayne Escoffery and Alex Norris are especially alluring. Besides, the presence and role of Amina Figarova is a masterstroke that merits special mention. The pianist’s performance is restrained albeit with several moments where she will allow her virtuosity to dart out of the keyboard and engage the vocalist, or some other member of the band. But it is Miss Figarova’s elegant arrangements that catch the mind’s eye and seem like a perfect fit for the vision and producer Mark Ruffin and the artistry of the recording’s main star: Miss Fitzhugh.

Track list – 1: Queen of My Soul; 2: I’m Not Alone (Anjo De Mim); 3: Wish I Knew; 4: Combinations; 5: Secret O’ Life; 6: Living in Peace; 7: Intimate Acquaintances; 8: Strollin’; 9: Once upon a Lover; 10: Yes I Know When I’ve Had It; 11: In the Autumn; 12: Alone in the World

Personnel – Carolyn Fitzhugh: vocals; Freddy Cole: vocal (2); Nanny Assis: vocal (7) and percussion (1, 2, 7, 11); Amina Figarova: piano, keyboards and arrangements; Yasushi Nakamura: bass; Rudy Royston: drums; Rez Abbasi: guitar; Wayne Escoffery: tenor saxophone; David Gibson: trombone; Alex Norris: trumpet; Bart Platteau: alto flute

Released – 2019
Label: IYOUWE Records (IYW1010)
Runtime – 51:49

Carolyn Fitzhugh wraps her versatile voice around heartfelt originals and intriguing covers—not all on the mark—on Living In Peace, her sophomore album. Bracketed by a sparkling take on Average White Band’s charmingly dated “Queen Of My Soul” and the ballad “Alone In The World,” the disc’s 12 tunes effectively cover a pop-music waterfront based in the ’70s and ’80s.

What’s admirable about this easygoing album is its eclecticism. Not only has Fitzhugh eschewed the Great American Songbook, keyboardist Amina Figarova has come up with diverse arrangements and recastings, spanning the shimmering rendition of Gil Scott-Heron’s “Combinations” and the bright arrangement of Johnny Pate’s “Yes I Know When I’ve Had It.” An alto flute solo by Bart Platteau and Wayne Escoffery’s tenor lend the Pate tune some drive and body.

The Chicago-based singer can be too enthusiastic, however. Her rushed reading of James Taylor’s “Secret O’ Life” turns the relaxed original jumpy, and she flattens the arch, androgynous wit of Prince’s “Strollin’” into something more busy than urgent. But originals, such as the upbeat title track and the ebullient “Once Upon A Lover,” are endearing, and her duet with boudoir-voiced Freddy Cole on “I’m Not Alone (Anjo De Mim)” is just haunting.

Despite a few missteps, Living In Peace presents a singer of taste and range, and showcases her confidence and daring alongside notable contributors like guitarist Rez Abbasi and drummer Rudy Royston.

Living In Peace: Queen Of My Soul; I’m Not Alone (Anjo De Mim); Wish I Knew; Combinations; Secret O’ Life; Living In Peace; Intimate Acquaintances; Strollin’; Once Upon A Lover; Yes I Know When I’ve Had It; In The Autumn; Alone In The World. (51:46) Personnel: Carolyn Fitzhugh, vocals; Rez Abassi, guitar; Nanny Assis, vocals, percussion; Freddy Cole (2), vocals; Wayne Escoffery, tenor saxophone; Amina Figarova, keyboards; David Gibson, trombone; Yasushi Nakamura, bass; Alex Norris, trumpet; Bart Platteau, alto flute; Rudy Royston, drums.

CAROLYN FITZHUGH/Living in Peace:

You used to have to go to clip joints to hear a thrush and her crew kick it out like this. Luckily for us, she decided she's no longer good enough for government work and made the choice to follow her original passion. With the kind of chops that let's her put Gil Scott-Heron and James Taylor next to each other and make it all sound on the natch, her and her A listers make the kind of record majors used to make and still should. Way too accomplished for an indie release, don't let them tell you that music is over with. Smoking throughout. 
(Iyouwe 1010) 

Chris Spector
Midwest Record
830 W. IL. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
www.midwestrecord.com