RETTA CHRISTIE
with DAVID EVANS and DAVE FRISHBERG
Retta’s music is refreshingly unintimidated by musical border guards. She draws comfortably on country music, with all its geographical and stylistic tributaries, as well as swing, pop, vintage jazz, novelty and the Great American Songbook.
Richard Hadlock, Host & Producer, the Annals of Jazz, KCSM-FM, San Mateo, California
“Retta Christie has a singular knack for that curious, vastly
entertaining form of Americana that swings in the recesses
between jazz and country. Think Jimmie Rodgers,
dustbowl prophets like Cowboy Bob Wills or Floyd Tillman,
or the flatland plains poetry of Hoagy Carmichael, and
you’re in the neighborhood. Fans of Irving Berlin saloon
songs will be swinging till the cows come home. Secret
weapons: Dave Evans on sax/clarinet and the hip
avuncularity of Dave Frishberg at the keys.”
Tim Duroche, Willamette Week
Retta Christie was an Oregon farm kid who learned to
square dance and to accompany family members and
her own singing with her guitar. She loves bristling Western
swing, good Dixieland, cowboy movie music and clever
song-stories by composers such as Floyd Tillman and Dave
Frishberg. This is not eclecticism for its own sake—Retta has
heartfelt reactions to a variety of songs and singers and
she expresses those feelings by telling—singing—each story
her own way.
David Evans began playing sax and clarinet around
Alabama in his ‘teens. He moved to New Orleans and
wound up playing with everybody in the Crescent City. His
resume contains names such as Nicholas Payton, Pete
Fountain, B. B. King and recording artists reflecting every
facet of popular music.
Dave Frishberg is held in high esteem around the world as
composer, lyricist, pianist and singer. Happily for Retta, and
for us, he also enjoys the less conspicuous role of
piano–playing sideman and accompanist. His star–studded
gig history includes Al Cohn, Bobby Hackett, Ben Webster,
Irene Kral, Anita O’Day and Jimmy Rushing. You won’t hear
Dave sing here, but you will hear Frishberg the songster at
work in the sensitive touches he employs to back Retta’s
vocal work.
TRACK LISTING
1. Cheatin' on Me
2. Yearning Just for You
3. Did You Ever See a Dream Walking?
4. Wallflower Lonely, Cornflower Blue
5. Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You)
6. The Thrill is Gone
7. Louise
8. I'll String Along with You
9. On Treasure Island
10. This Cold War with You
11. Lost
12. Ridin' Down the Canyon
Reviews
Spinning Retta Christie’s new album, a collaboration with veteran pianist Dave Frishberg and saxophonist David Evans, is like taking a leisurely stroll back in time. In their capable hands, these vintage gems sparkle anew –rollicking in a jaunty jazz vein or detouring through idyllic western plains.
Christie’s calm, clear voice is a throwback to simpler times, and the pristine musicianship that surrounds it is effervescent. If you miss the golden age of song, you won’t want to miss this record.
- Barbara Mitchell, The Portland Tribune
...Retta’s perfect diction is made apparent. A singer with great technique, she never sounds as if she is “slumming it” by singing music which does not demand blatant virtuosity in its execution. The songs, mostly culled from the 1920’s and 1930’s incorporate to varying degrees, elements of country swing, (hot) jazz and saloon songs. Each song utilizes elements from these genres - For me, part of the appeal of this album is that it transcends standing firmly in one genre. …all three artists convey a great authenticity for the music.
- Maxwell Chandler, Jazz Police
There is something absolutely charming about Christie’s straightforward, sweet delivery...her style is simple and melodic. Christie loves a good melody and a jaunty beat, especially those from the early days of jazz and western swing.
- Kyle O'Brien, Jazz Society of Oregon
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