Naama - "The Lamp Is Low"
From Where Flamingos Fly, La Reserve, 2023)
The third installment of singles being released in support of Naama’s LP Where Flamingos Fly (scheduled for full release on July 28, 2023) features the Peter DeRose and Ben Shefter composition (lyrics by Mitchell Parish) "The Lamp Is Low." The song is based on the Maurice Ravel 1899 composition, "Pavane pour une infante défunte" and was a popular song in the 1930s
Naama released the first single, "Oh! You Crazy Moon" in February, following it with "Waltz For Debbie" in March. On the singer's previous recording, If I Knew Then (Sassy's Back In Town, 2022) the piano trio of pianist Ben Paterson, bassist Neal Miner, and drummer Evan shakes things by using her present band. This format replaces the trap set with a vibraphone played by Steve Nelson plus pianist Bruce Barth and bassist Dave Baron as the rhythm section. The change is one of texture, the vibraphone being more of a harmony/melody percussive instrument tending to soften the performances.
"The Lamp Is Low" proves a perfect vehicle for the trio and singer. The vibes provide a soft aural environment for Naama to spin out the lyrics to this chestnut. Naama's voice has evolved quickly over the previous recordings, presenting now as confident, assured, and well-studied. She indeed sings adult jazz like an adult for adults.