On the Other Side
On the Other Sideis an album of happy songs--"Get Happy," "Make Someone Happy," "Happy Talk," etc.--but isn't always so chipper in contemplating life and love. Indeed, it's difficult to imagine Tierney Sutton, one of whose calling cards as a jazz singer is her intensity, letting herself go--consider her inclusion of "Haunted Heart" at the middle of the album as a reflection of that. But in the cozy embrace of her working band, including the fine pianist Christian Jacob and two bassists, Sutton excels at exploring different shades of feeling, boosted by a guest turn by the ebullient veteran trumpeter and singer Jack Sheldon. Her somber dark tones, which bring her contemporary Patricia Barber to mind, are offset by a llilting catch in her voice that may remind you of Diana Ross. Ultimately, you wish her delivery was less cooly detached,  but she has a winning ability to make the familiar new, as heard on two creative pairings of "Get Happy" and "Happy Days Are Here Again."--Lloyd Sachs