Kurt Elling: Minuano

No vocalist is better skilled than Elling at shaping a song into a satisfying dramatic performance. Pat Methenys lilting composition is a perfect vehicle for Ellings interpretive skills. He opens with an invocation that caresses the melody for almost three minutes before launching into an exultant 6/8 melody. We think were reaching the climax of the song, when Elling leaps an octave and pushes the piece into overdrive. Eight minutes of sheer aural pleasure. High marks also to pianist Hobgood (whose acute musical direction is always evident on Ellings recordings) and saxophonist Wheeler.