This is the first release by the Montreal group Avalon, which consists of vocalist Louise Thibault, Jon Gearey on guitars and Frank Lozano on tenor and soprano saxes. The trio is joined on various numbers by Claude Lavergne on drums and Tommy Babin on bass, with Aron Doyle as guest soloist on one number.

This collection of standards includes some lesser known tunes, such as So In Love and Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues, as well as one original by Gearey and Thibault, The Fade Away, and Joni Mitchell's Blue.

A thoughtful, relaxed mood pervades this recording, with only four of the twelve numbers being played at medium-up tempos. The rest are interpreted as ballads or with very laid-back grooves. Rather than being boring, however, this disc serves up many a savoury musical bite.

First off, Thibault has a lovely, clear and true voice. At times she’s sultry, at other times full of regret or playful, but she’s always convincing. Thibault is well able to handle the slow tempos and spare textures of the arrangements; in fact, these very things show off her vocal strengths.

Secondly, Lozano is an asset to any group with his big sound, flowing lines and swinging feel. There is an urgency in his playing, as though he absolutely must say his piece, and it better be right now. Of particular note is his anguished chorus on the moody Harlem Nocturne.

Gearey has only one solo on the album, but his contributions in the rhythm section and as arranger are not to be ignored. The arrangement of Blue is outstanding, with the voice and soprano creating ethereal, rich harmonies that linger in the air.

This is a good rainy-day disc- it may not be up-tempo enough for some people's tastes, but it creates a mood from the downbeat and maintains it throughout.

One detail on the album I found to be a questionable choice- the wave sound at the beginning of The Fade Away. It's consistent with the poetic nature of the tune, but just a little cheesy.

Louise Denson is a Montreal pianist/bandleader/composer.

More about: Louise Thibault; Frank Lozano ; The Whispering Breeze; Jon Gearey