Cliff Beach - You Showed Me The Way
(California Soul Music, 2024)
Singer/pianist/composer Cliff Beach has a personality barely contained in his homage to Ella Fitzgerald, You Showed Me The Way. Since 2013, Beach has released an album each year, revealing his sunny musical disposition—a native of Washington. D.C., Beach grew up in the church, and church music provided him a sound grounding in the soul and R&B vernaculars. A man of letters, Beach has an MBA from Pepperdine University in Marketing, which he has parlayed into radio and television, licensing, publishing, and a record album.
Beach applies all his considerable wares in tipping his hat to one of his major influences, Ella Fitzgerald. He takes the grand dame’s songbook and turns it squarely on its ear, interpreting these standards through the lens of soul music. The effect is a fresh slap in the face. Those expecting a prim and proper exposition of the best of Fitzgerald will be in for a surprise. These interpretations are upbeat and take no prisoners. Beach’s voice is a marvel of octaves and his control is impressive—His reimaginings of Ms. Fitzgerald’s songbook are impressive, jarring even.
Beach used a great deal of courage in making this recording. His expansive imagination daringly reconfigures jazz standards, demonstrating the durability of this old music and how it can be reconfigured for new audiences.