Tenderness

by J.D. Souther

Overview

When J.D. Souther returned to recording in 2008 with If the World Was You after a 24-year break, he allowed his lifelong love of jazz and pop standards a prominent place in his songwriting. As a singer he regularly worked with jazz artists, but had seldom allowed that side of himself to show too readily on records. He also applied those traits to 2011's Natural History, a dynamite collection of his tunes that were (mostly) associated with other artists. Tenderness, Souther's Sony Masterworks debut, teams him with producer Larry Klein and a studio band that includes guitarist Dean Parks, bassist David Pilch, drummer Jay Bellerose, keyboardist Patrick Warren, and trumpeter Till Broenner. Pianist Billy Childs contributes string arrangements to three songs and plays on one. As a singer, Souther's tenor voice is undiminished by the passage of time. As a songwriter, his ballads here, including opener "Come What May," the sensual "Dance Real Slow," and the vulnerable "Need Somebody," reflect the influence of the standards book, while the melodies display the distinct hallmarks of his craft. The song selection here goes wider and deeper, however. "Something in the Dark" reflects the Southern California scene of the 1970s that Souther was such an integral part of. Its stinging bluesy guitars, Lizz Wright's backing vocal, dramatic strings, trumpet, electric piano, and hypnotic percussion take the listener back to his writing for the Eagles and Linda Ronstadt. "Let's Take a Walk" is irresistible with its breezy, nearly Caribbean-tinged groove -- and a fine soprano sax contribution from Jeff Coffin. Childs' string chart on "This House" textures one of Souther's most searing ballads. His delivery makes the poignant lyric visible. The melancholic Americana lullaby "Horses in Blue," with beautiful, smoky, muted trumpet fills by Broenner and a lonesome cello woven in for balance, also offers unique phrasing and emotional control. Closer "Downtown (Before the War)" features Childs' crystalline piano, Broenner's grooving muted horn, and a stellar upright walking bassline. Despite the fingerpopping tempo, it's haunting; the music encompasses vintage cool jazz, singer/songwriter pop, and L.A. R&B inside a nearly cinematic narrative. Souther's command of both his music and his voice on Tenderness is total; he makes it all sound easy. But that's deceptive: it takes a lifetime of commitment and hard work to deliver a gem like this. ~ Thom Jurek

Product Details

Release Date:	05/12/2015
Label:	SONY MASTERWORKS
UPC:	0888750339423

Tracks

1. Come What May
2. Something in the Dark
3. This House
4. Let's Take a Walk
5. Dance Real Slow
6. Show Me What You Mean
7. Horses in Blue
8. Need Somebody
9. Downtown (Before the War)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

J.D. Souther   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Patrick Warren   Organ (Hammond),Piano,Keyboards
Larry Klein   Keyboards
David Piltch   Bass
Lizz Wright   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Dean Parks   Hi String Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Alyssa Park   Violin
Billy Childs   Piano
Matt Nelson   Cello
Chris Walters   Piano
Sam Bacca   Percussion
Jay Bellerose   Drums,Percussion
Jeff Coffin   Sax (Soprano)
Till Broenner   Trumpet
Mark Robertson   Violin
Vanessa Freebairn-Smith   Cello
Luke Maurer   Viola

Technical Credits

Laura Kszan   Product Development
Bernie Grundman   Mastering
J.D. Souther   Composer
Larry Klein   Composer,Producer
Lynne Earls   Engineer
Nicolas Essig   Assistant Engineer
Jeremy Cowart   Photography
Cathleen Murphy   A&R
Travis Kennedy   Mixing Assistant
Pablo Hernandez   Assistant Engineer
Noah Dresner   Assistant Engineer
Sarah Souther   Paintings
Billy Childs   String Arrangements
Tim Palmer   Mixing
Roxanne Slimak   Design Direction
Jennifer Liebeskind   Product Development
Milton Gutierrez   String Engineer
Chuck Mitchell   Liner Notes
Josh Cheuse   Art Direction
Nate Dickenson   Overdub Engineer