It's been some time since Toronto's
Alex Pangman released a studio album of her own but I'm pleased to report that her fabulous new 33 debut for Montreal's Justin Time has been worth the wait. Evidently, Canada's Sweetheart of Swing couldn't think of any better way to spend her 33rd year than interpreting a well-chosen selection of classic American Songbook tunes popular in 1933 for a delightful concept recording.
For the sessions produced with
Don Kerr at
Rooster Studio last April, she was accompanied as always by her trusty
Alley Cats in addition to singer pals
Ron Sexsmith who sweetly duets on the
Bing Crosby fave I Surrender Dear and
Denzal Sinclaire who joins Alex on a lovely reprise of You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me. Of course, the clever kicker for the album concept was that 33 would have a limited-run 33 RPM vinyl issue. Brilliant right?
Well, everything would be perfect if those hot new albums were back from the pressing plant in time for tonight's release party at
Hugh's Room (2261 Dundas West) with singer/pianist
Julian Fauth opening the proceedings at 8:30 pm, but even if the records don't miraculously appear, you can count on there being enough copies of the CD version of 33 to go around. In any case, you know that the always charming Ms. Pangman will be at her top-dollar best this evening with the superb support of her Alley Cats namely
Peter Hill (piano),
Chris Banks (bass),
Glenn Anderson (drums),
Jesse Barksdale (guitar),
Drew Jerecka (fiddle, alto sax) and
Ross Wooldridge (clarinet/tenor sax). Certainly not something you'd want to miss.
