Tierney Sutton Band
Desire
Telarc Jazz
By George W. Harris

“God, You have made us for Yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests with Thee”
St. Augustine of Hippo

Vocalist Tierney Sutton and her long term compatriots (Christian Jacob/p, Trey Henry, Kevin Axt/b, Ray Brinker/dr) have formed a unique and identifiable sound over the years. It’s almost an audible Von Goghish approach to performing; light and impressions take hold of jazz standards and create previously undiscovered corners, nooks and nuances. On this latest release, Sutton and company explore our various desires, be they material lucre, personal love, or God Himself. The disc is bookended by two prayers that blossom like Sunflowers. “It’s Only A Paper Moon” Brinker’s patented tam-tamming of the cymbals while Sutton’s vocals and Jacobs piano playing shines like a Starry20Night. Contrariwise are Sutton’s wry vocals on the cynical “My Heart Belongs To Daddy” which has Sutton sounding like a rough night at a Night Café. Meanwhile, she can be as ominous as a Wheat Field With Crows on her foreboding rendition of “It’s All Right With Me.” The entire band has moments of glory, and they veer in and out of Sutton’s vocals with aplomb, fitting together like Irises In A Vase. Well conceived, and possibly the strongest release yet from this band.