Jazz chanteuse Tamela D'Amico's album Got A Little Story is a sleeper, one of those albums that takes you by surprise with its artistry. D'Amico, also a director and actress, smartly recruited Grammy-nominated arranger/bandleader Chris Walden to arrange and conduct a stellar big band, backing her voice with impressive charts. Add Executive Producer Peter Krause (Six Feet Under, Dirty Sexy Money) to the mix, and the result is an enjoyable album featuring a vocalist who knows how to sell a song with her unique style.
How does Krause fit in? Got A Little Story is D'Amico's first jazz album after years of performing. Initially she secured a financial backer for the project, but the backer encountered some delays. After seeing her perform live and listening to sample tracks, longtime friend Krause stepped in to restart the project. Thus D'Amico's collection of standards and contemporary classics was finally released.
While her voice has a limited range, she manages to convey the lyrics' meaning with her phrasing. Her cover of contemporary Ann Hampton Callaway's "Perfect" showcases D'Amico's gift for interpreting lyrics, wrapping her silky voice around its delicately beautiful words. She also treats listeners to a swinging version of "And I Love Her (Him)," reinterpreting the song as a '40s era standard. The band shines on the bossa nova classic "Perfidia," couching her high voice in rich bass and a gently swaying beat. In addition to evoking quiet romance, she can also strut through standards such as Peggy Lee's "He's A Tramp," adding her own sexy spin on the lyrics.
One interesting selection is "When October Goes," co-written by Barry Manilow and John Mercer. It fits perfectly with Got A Little Story's '40s vibe, and once again Walden's arrangement beautifully, if subtly, showcases D'Amico's vocals. Like on "Perfect," she manages to convey the lyrics' melancholy spirit.
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