What Are We Going to Do With All This Moonlight?

by Marlene VerPlanck

Overview

Recorded at two separate sessions in Paris, this album reveals why Marlene Ver Planck continues to occupy a place in the upper echelon of contemporary interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Many of the tunes are from the movies and Broadway musicals. The subtitle for the album, "Saxomania-Reeds and Rhythm," recognizes the contribution made by the excellent group of French reedmen and the rhythm section, which affords consistently first-rate accompaniment for Ver Planck throughout the session. For a pleasant diversion from the usual, the album features not just standards, but songs that are not heard all that frequently. Despite Ver Planck's valiant efforts, it becomes clear very quickly why one doesn't hear some of these ditties very often: They simply are not very good. On the other hand, there are some real gems that Ver Planck has brought to light. The Harry Warren/Al Dubin track "Sweet and Slow," from the 1935 film Broadway Gondolier, is done in a syncopated style which makes the music interesting, even though the lyrics are a bit simplistic. There's some great ensemble work on this tune and it accommodates to Ver Planck's scatting style quite nicely. The Gerry Mulligan Mel Torme-penned "The Real Thing," a truly beautiful tune, gets a gorgeous rendering from Ver Planck, with plenty of help from the sax section and Stanley Laferrier's piano. "This Is the End of a Beautiful Friendship" is a vehicle for each member of the band to solo. Claude Tissendier's clarinet and Claude Braud's tenor especially stand out. Marlene's talented husband, J. "Billy" Ver Planck composed several tunes for this session; "Nobody, But Nobody" is the best of these, with a nice fox trot arrangement that may well encourage listeners to get up and dance. Braud's tenor gets some solo space on this tune. "Star Eyes" is kicked off with a fast-paced sax ensemble, slowing down to a manageable beat for Ver Planck's vocal. This is one of the highlights of the set. All in all, whether familiar standards or not, all of the 17 tunes on the play list are done with style and grace, and mostly in a sprightly, uptempo beat. Even "Embraceable You," usually played slowly and soulfully, gets a rare uptempo reading from Ver Planck and the group. As expected, Ver Planck's diction, phrasing, and handling of the lyrics are impeccable. What Are We Going to Do With All This Moonlight is another in a long run of Ver Planck classic vocal albums and is a fun-filled, toe-tapping collection. Recommended. ~ Dave Nathan

Product Details

Release Date:	02/09/1999
Label:	AUDIOPHILE
UPC:	0762247230427

Tracks

1. Nobody Else But Me
2. The Real Thing
3. Close Enough for Love
4. A Beautiful Friendship
5. Star Eyes
6. Detour Ahead
7. Embraceable You
8. Sing Me to Sleep
9. Wonder Why
10. Sweet and Slow
11. My Future Just Began
12. When in Rome
13. I Never Had a Chance
14. Nobody, But Nobody
15. I've Got Your Number
16. I'm Sticking With You, Baby
17. What Are We Going to Do With All This Moonlight?

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Marlene VerPlanck   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Irving Berlin   Composer
Cy Coleman   Composer
Nicholas Brodszky   Composer
Don Raye   Composer
George Gershwin   Composer
Ira Gershwin   Composer
Johnny Mandel   Composer
Rudy Toombs   Composer
Mel Torme   Composer
Gerry Mulligan   Composer
Herb Ellis   Composer
Paul Williams   Composer
Al Dubin   Composer
Carolyn Leigh   Composer
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
Lou Carter   Composer
Henry Glover   Composer
Harry Warren   Composer
Jerome Kern   Composer
Gene DePaul   Composer
Sammy Cahn   Composer
Ver Planck   Composer
Stanley Styne   Composer
Donald Kahn   Composer
John Freigo   Composer