Nicki Parrott/Rossano Sportiello
Do It Again
Arbors Records
www.arborsrecords.com
By George W. Harris

The reunion recording of vocalist/bassist Nicki Parrott and pianist
Rossano Sportiello is as charming, warm and casually comfortable as
2007’s People Will Say We’re In Love. Ms. Parrott’s voice, sort of a
husky Blossom Dearie, can go from charming Tin Pan Alley (“Two Sleepy
People”) to the alluringly disarming and seductive title track. The duo
can switch channels from Schumann classical (“Kinderszenen”) to show
tunes (“Climb Every Mountain”) and Ellingtonia (“Fleuette Africaine”)
in between, with the latter two being quite impressive instrumentals.
The wide variety of material is kept in check by a consistently
intimate and friendly mood, as shown on Parrott’s own “You’re The One I
Think I Waited For” with its clever wit shining through. Great and
unpretentious stuff here.