Pentimento
Jessica Molaskeyis probably best known for Jason Robert Brown's 1996 revue,Songs for a New World, in which she sang theWeillesque "Surabaya Santa" and the irresistibly snappy "Stars and the Moon." Six years later and stylistic worlds away, Molaskey's solo debut,Pentimento, is in its own way equally irresistible. It's filled with songs from the 1920s and '30s that hoped to brighten the Depression, and she delivers them in a soft, airy voice with a trace ofBlossom Dearie-type naiveté. She's accompanied by a wonderful band that includes her husband,John Pizzarelli, and father-in-law,Bucky(both playing guitars and ukuleles), bassist brother-in-law Martin, clarinetistKen Peplowski, and violinistJohnny Frigo. Molaskey and John Pizzarelli also contribute two originals in the flavor of the era, "I Tried Too Hard for Too Long" and "Sail Away," and John joins her on the vocals for "With Plenty of Money and You/We're in the Money." We could single out favorite moments, such as Irving Berlin's luscious "What'll I Do" or anything with Peplowski, but why commit ourselves when we'll have a different favorite tomorrow?--David Horiuchi