Sound Advice: Patti Austin's New Album Release
By Peggy Oliver (The Urban Music Scene)
Patti Austin’s extraordinary voice is a songwriter’s sweetest dream. Since she bowed on the stage at The Apollo Theater at age four with her godmother Dinah Washington, Austin was highly destined to be a songwriter’s best friend. Her maturity as a vocalist grew as a teenager touring with the legendary Harry Belafonte. So it came naturally for Austin to choose the business they call show in her adult life. Session work came frequently and often with some of music’s prolific names like Cat Stevens and George Benson. Yet it would take some time for the industry to recognize Austin as an important musical force. From one of Quincy Jones’ regular cast of vocalists for his label Qwest Records in the eighties to her distinguished solo career and many duets in between (especially with James Ingram), the New York native has captured the hearts of jazz, soul, R&B and pop audiences. Austin’s extensive repertoire encompassed dance music (“Rhythm of the Street,” “Reach”), James Moody’s jazz classic “Moody’s Mood for Love” alongside Benson; the Gershwin songbook for her 2007 release - Avant Gershwin, and much more in between. In other words, no one could truly put Austin in one box. She has worked steadily as a solo recording artist beginning in 1976 with End of the Rainbow; even with the occasional bumps of bruises critics bestowed upon her and sporadic radio play.
Through the years, Austin has inspired songwriters with her talent and classy vocal delivery. Her latest disc, Sound Advice, affords the vocalist an opportunity to choose songs from various composers that deeply touch her in different ways. Austin’s eclectic musical taste on Sound Advice is also a special treat considering the depth of material she has covered through the years. It is only fitting that the veteran vocalist recruited some of her closest musical friends to make this mix of pop standards, classic and modern rock, adult contemporary R&B and folk ballads come alive. This stellar lineup includes Greg Phillinganes (who arranged several tracks on Sound Advice), Paul Jackson, Jr., Freddie Washington, John Robinson and Neil Stubenhaus.
Sound Advice has some gospel flavored pieces such as "You Gotta Be," the inspirational pop hit by Des’ree and Bob Dylan’s "Gotta Serve Somebody." The epic late sixties rock masterpiece, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” is proof Austin can rock out (in a soulful manner) just as hard as the song’s creators – The Rolling Stones. Guitarist Jackson, Jr. sets a solid funk foundation on Paul McCartney & Wings, “Let ‘Em In.” Where Austin really excels is her impeccable phrasing with the Bill Withers’ signature hit - “Lean on Me,” the poignant folk ballad by Don McLean - “Vincent” and the Paul Anka-composed anthem - “My Way.” Austin’s own composition, “The Grace of God,” reflects her intense stance on the issue of domestic violence. “Give it Up,” originally recorded by The Jacksons in the early eighties, has an inviting, jazzy flair, thanks to Phillinganes’ arrangements.
Though Allen usually represents her usual vocal excellence on Sound Advice, there are a couple of disappointments along the way. Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy The Silence” fails to distinctively stand out from the modern rock band’s original version, and “Round & Round” (a song penned by Austin and Phillinganes) is another eighties-flavored track that lacks musical spark compared to "Give It Up" and the Brenda Russell composition, "A Little Bit of Love." Despite the few clinkers, Austin hits more right notes than wrong on Sound Advice, considering the diverse material. And in the long run, her rich alto is a reliable instrument that music aficionados and other songwriters can usually count on, no matter what she puts down in the studio.
