Mary Pearson- Reviews

What critics say about You & I:

"...a music of subtle richness, like a fine cup of coffee after dinner. This music is something to be acquired, savored and ultimately enjoyed. Her voice is a seamless chameleon alto that purrs in one phrase and growls in the next. In all cases, Pearson sings with great lyricism and melody. The unadorned environment of the duet offers her ample room to experiment and otherwise show off her considerable technique and talent… This is a very engaging disc that I would suggest to anyone needing music for that special evening."
--C. Michael Bailey, allaboutjazz.com, May 2000

"As Arkadia slowly but surely builds a label, it now adds its first singer, Mary Pearson. Pearson has synthesized all of that (numerous influences of her generation) to develop a distinctive style to personalize the music she sings, no matter how often that music may have been heard. Steve Davis’ work on drums seems to inspire Pearson. “Lazy Afternoon” and “Thou Swell” allow Davis to seemingly independently add texture and color behind Pearson’s free vocal improvisation, elasticizing a phrase here, snapping and contracting another one there in a way that keeps the listener guessing.
Coming from numerous other influences of her generation, including folk music, pop singers and Broadway performers, Pearson has synthesized all of that to develop a distinctive style to personalize the music she sings, no matter how often that music may have been heard. The clench of Pearson's command and the clarity of her voice arrest the listener all right. So does her fresh approach to ballads when she decides to free her improvisation from conventional approaches. With a long-term contract in hand, it's only a matter of time before Mary Pearson seeps ever so slightly and ever so invitingly into the jazz public's consciousness."
--Don Williamson, allaboutjazz.com May 2000

"Sometimes a CD comes along and surprises you quietly and powerfully with its complete perfection of vocal performances in such a manner that at first you are at a loss to describe it, and such is the case with Mary Pearson's You and I. I would be hard-pressed to suggest a more perfect CD to jazz listeners for this moment in time than You and I.…destined to become a classic[recording] of love songs, blessed with a romantic jazz ballad approach that only Mary Pearson can deliver with such style, gracefulness, and most importantly, with such a touch of class and romance. Mary Pearson deserves much radio airplay with her magnificent You and I.
--Lee Prosser, jazzreview.com, April 2000

"You can add Mary Pearson to the short list of authentic contenders for the seats vacated by the old guard of female jazz divas. The musical selections (on You and I) reveal her ability to reinvent standards without obliterating them with decoration. (Any singer who can make you listen to the words of “What Are you Doing the Rest of Your Life” as if they were new again has a fresh musicianship indeed.) Her duets with drummer Steve Davis are unique. It’s rare for a singer to be accompanied only by drums for an entire song, but it works to sensuous result on “Lazy Afternoon.” Their version of “Thou Swell” is both swell and witty. Pearson’s own composition “I Am Yours/You Are Mine) is a tribute to commitment in relationships that is as lovely and delicate as fine lace. The final coup on this romantic set is a subdued and unencumbered version of “Over the Rainbow.” Set in three-quarter time, it captures the wonder and flow of the song without recalling other versions."
--Patrick Arena, OUT – May 2000

"This woman has a beautiful voice with great range and control. Twelve love songs, some very well known. Three written by Mary herself, all sung in ways you’ve never, ever heard them sung before. Described as having a rich, creamy tone, a commanding, luxuriant style, beauty of expression, she whispers and soars, quiet one second, loud and sure the next. A very intimate, gentle album and certainly not just background music. You’ll certainly want to listen to this one. Over and over again."
--Jeanette Housner, Victory Music Review, June 2000

"Every tune is a duet, which is the right number for romance. Mary sings softly, a thick voice that's husky on the low notes. Beside her an instrument holds court; what instrument (and how it's played) depends on the song. We get drums on "Lazy Afternoon" - rather, tom-toms and soft moaning cymbals. Mary drawls the lyric, a sound that's lazy - and intimate. She's warmer on "The More I See You"; the voice reaches high, with longing and love. Lynne Arriale says plenty in spare chords.; how different from Fred Hersch, who plunges into "Take Five". Over his busy display, Mary is static, percussive on words with a hornlike attack. They are two instruments, swirling in a deep embrace. The mood is eternal - or it should be. She also writes her own songs: elegant words, and delightfully fragile. "I Am Yours" is a hug: "Time will show, just as sure as we are breathing/ Love built on trust is built to last." A similar stillness is "In Your Arms", words melting austere piano. David Lahm floats a faint echo, Mary matches it - and all is well."
--John Barrett/JazzUSA.com/Short Takes/ May 2000

"Vocalist Mary Pearson’s CD You and I is interesting in that each song is a duet in which she is accompanied by a lone instrument Her interpretations, phrasing, and articulation are excellent."
--allaboutjazz.com, Dave Hughes - June 2000

"Veteran bass player Harvie Swartz takes center stage with Pearson as they stroll through “How Long Has This Been Going On?”. Pearson’s interpretation of this tune, as much as any, crystallizes her awesome understanding of the lyrics of the songs she sings coupled with the ability to convey that meaning to the listener. You and I is a formidable and recommended introduction to the world of recordings by Mary Pearson."
--All Music Guide, Dave Nathan

Mary Pearson: You and I
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