Susan Tobocman vaults effortlessly over the void between superior pop and jazz, and takes songs by the likes of Lennon and McCartney and Jimmy Webb with her. The effortlessness is affirmed by her confident delivery and awareness of nuance.
It’s that awareness which elevates her reading of Webb’s Wichita Lineman to the point where comparisons with Glen Campbell’s arguably definitive version are irrelevant. She brings much of herself to the table, and the consequent wistfulness has nothing of the “insert emotions here” quality which serves to distance some listeners.
That said, Lennon and McCartney’s Help! still doesn’t seem to me like one of their better songs even though Tobocman’s arrangement enhances the material, and the odd euphoria of the Beatles version is quite at odds with what she gets out of the lyric. In short, while the alternate take seems a little more leaden by comparison with the full version, the fact remains that both have their merits despite the presence of a guitar solo which for me at least kind of lacerates the ambience of the former.
Of the five Tobocman originals Make Believe is both poised and wistful, although there is a lingering feeling that the undoubted professionalism of the instrumentalists, Frahm being not the least of them, is a little too slick, as if they haven’t digested the lyrics to the point where the knowledge informs their work.
Leaves Of Absence, in common with the title track, is an instrumental. Both of them should leave no doubt in the listener’s mind of the proficiency of the musicians, but I for one was keen for Tobocman’s return because her contributions were what pricked (and perked) my ears up most.
Discography
What’ll I Do; Wichita Lineman; The Man I Love; Make Believe; Leaves Of Absence; Help!; I Could Get Used To This; The Way To You; Touch & Go; Where Is Love?; You Only Live Twice; Help! (alternate take) (58.36)
Tobocman (v); Joel Frahm (ts, ss); Henry Hey (p, elp); Pete McCann (g); Dave Eggar (clo); Matt Pavolka (b, elb); Michael Sarin (d). No locations or dates.
Soliterra 321
