Name: R.S.V.P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal)
Brand: Universal Music Distribution
SKU: 543588
Availability: OutOfStock

Performer Notes

Personnel: Nancy Wilson (vocals); Ivan Lins (vocals, keyboards); Kenny Lattimore (vocals); Marty Ashby (guitar); Andres Cardenez (violin); Tatjana Mead Chamis (viola); David Premo (cello); Mike Tomaro (flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone); Andres Boiarsky (flute, alto saxophone); Eric DeFade (flute, tenor saxophone); Jim Germann (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone); Dennis Reynolds, Bob Millikan, Jim Hynes, Steve Hawk (trumpet); Jay Ashby (trombone, keyboards, percussion, background vocals); Michael Davis (trombone); Gary Piecka, Max Seigel (bass trombone); Rufus Reid (bass guitar); Jamey Haddad, Lewis Nash (drums); Kim Nazarian (background vocals); Joe Negri (guitar); Toots Thielemans (harmonica); Andy Snitzer (clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Paquito D'Rivera (clarinet); Phil Woods (alto saxophone); Bill Watrous (trombone); George Shearing (piano); Gary Burton (vibraphone).
Audio Mixers: Jay Ashby; Jay Dudt.
Recording information: Chalice Recording Studios, CA; Red Rock Recording, PA.
Photographers: Robert Bowman; Charles William Bush III; Jay Ashby.
Arrangers: Doctor John Wilson; Jay Ashby; Johnny Pate; Darmon Meader.
Even given her dalliances with R&B and pop material during her long career, Nancy Wilson is unquestionably one of the legends of vocal jazz. R.S.V.P. (which here stands for "Rare Songs, Very Personal") finds Wilson coming home to roost with 12 songs that showcase her superb vocal stylings in the mode of classic swing and jazz balladry. For 2004's R.S.V.P., Wilson selected tunes she'd never had the opportunity to record in her 50 years in the business. One would never guess from these performances, however--Wilson sings these songs as though they were born in her throat.
The sultry "An Older Man Is Like an Elegant Wine," for example, shows that she has lost none of her sumptuous, ballad-perfect timbre, but the bop-inflected ease of her phrases on "Day In, Day Out" remind us that her up-tempo exuberance is still jumping, too. A string of all-star guests--George Shearing, Toots Thielemans, Phil Woods, and Gary Burton, among others--make the collection sparkle even brighter, and her duets with R&B stars Kenny Lattimore and Ivan Lins may win converts from a younger generation. But as the note-perfect "Blame It on My Youth" announces, this is Wilson's show, and a fine, memorable one at that.

Professional Reviews

Down Beat (p.80) - 3 stars out of 5 - "R.S.V.P. demonstrates subtlety, grace and intimacy....Wilson demonstrates remarkable restraint, singing with an effective, almost youthful clarity and pristine beauty."

JazzTimes (p.95) - "Wilson's still gorgeous voice sparkles on vintage fare..."

Album: R.S.V.P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal)
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Older Man, An (Is Like an Elegant Wine)
2)	Day in, Day Out
3)	Why Did I Choose You
4)	I Wish I'd Met You
5)	I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
6)	Goodbye
7)	How About Me?
8)	Minds of Their Own (Dois Corregos)
9)	Little Green Apples
10)	You'll See
11)	That's All
12)	Blame It on My Youth

Album: R.S.V.P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal)
#	Song Title	Time
1)	Older Man, An (Is Like an Elegant Wine)
2)	Day in, Day Out
3)	Why Did I Choose You
4)	I Wish I'd Met You
5)	I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
6)	Goodbye
7)	How About Me?
8)	Minds of Their Own (Dois Corregos)
9)	Little Green Apples
10)	You'll See
11)	That's All
12)	Blame It on My Youth