Diana Panton's voice is irresistible. It's not just that her phrasing is rich with mischief and joy. Or that she has great taste in songs and that she gleefully avoids tired songbook standards. For me, it's her sound and skills. She's always in pitch, no matter the risks taken with her voice, and there's a hip, girlish quality about her delivery. Ever spend time watching kids fly a kite? That's Diana's voice, darting here and there way up high in the wind. Tremendously uplifting and fun, with just the right amount of jazz savvy sprinkled in. [Photo above of Diana Panton courtesy of Diana Panton]
Diana has just released a new album—A Cheerful Little Earful (Hamilton). Backed by the gorgeous duo of Reg Schwager (guitar) and Don Thompson (bass, piano and vibes), the pair sounds like the George Shearing Quintet on many of the songs (with overdubbing), the perfect backing for Diana. All three share Shearing's taste and ability to make listeners sit back and sigh. [Cover illustration above by Jacqui Lee]
Songs include Happy Talk; It's a Most Unusual Day; "A" You're Adorable; Red Red Robin; I Don't Want to Live on the Moon; Cheerful Little Earful; If You Feel Like Singing, Sing; Music and Me; Pocketful of Miracles; Look to the Rainbow; In the Golden Afternoon; Experiment; Aren't You Glad You're You?; Sing a Rainbow, and Hush-a-Bye Island. [Photo above of Diana Panton courtesy of Diana Panton]
Don, of course, worked for many years with guitarist Jim Hall and guitarist Ed Bickert. Reg's recordings with Don date back to 1990. Reg also played on Gene Lees Sings Gene Lees, a terrific album from 1995. Both Don and Reg recorded with George Shearing (naturally) on Christmas With the George Shearing Quintet (1998), a beautiful year-ender, and Back to Birdland (2000). Between Reg's solo albums and Don's, these gentlemen have had the honor of never recording a bad album. Further proof that Canada still produces gorgeous jazz. [Photo above, from left, of Don Thompson and Reg Schwager]
As for Diana, her albums are beyond special. On Yesterday Perhaps (2005), she was backed by Don and Reg. They're a trio whose hearts beat together. Check out Diana's If the Moon Was Green (2007), Pink (2009), To Brazil With Love (2011), Little Gems and Other Keepsakes (2013), Red (2013), My Heart Sings (2014), I Believe in Little Things (2015), Solstice/Equinox (2017), Yes Please! (2018) and perhaps one of the sweetest Christmas albums imaginable, Christmas Kiss (2011). Brava, Diana! And hail Canada!
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Diana Panton's A Cheerful Little Earful here.
JazzWax clips: Here's Happy Talk...
Here's A Cheerful Little Earful...
And here's Look to the Rainbow (dig the a cappella opening!)...
Bonus: I know it's early, but here's Christmas Kiss. Pure bliss...
