Modern music can’t hold a candle to old-time music. There, I said it. The UK release of “Darling, oh Darling” by Boston-based Miss Tess is evidence enough for me. Carrying on from where the jazz singers of the ‘40s and ‘50s departed, Ms Tess adds a generous helping of her own tastes and wit into what is essentially a potent musical cocktail.
Surprisingly, all songs on the album are originals. This is meant as no belittling of Tess’s songwriting skills, in fact quite the opposite. “That Oo Oo Oo” is a thrilling jazz-meets-rockabilly collision. Later, “Thinking of Shore” reduces the frenzy to an enticing waltz with every word shaped perfectly in song. A hymn of devotion, “Saving All My Love” is a brass-heavy big-band effort. Any of the aforementioned could’ve been written for Martha Tilton. Meanwhile, the title track is an emotional downpour, carefully-worded and delivered with unquestionable conviction.
There’s little room for euphemism on “I Just Wanna Make Love Again”, yet there’s little to get displeased about. “Oh No” and “I Don’t Wanna See You Anymore” are energetic affairs, with Tess testing the resolve of her vintage Weymann guitar. However, the simply-titled “Love” and “Awake” are both slow-burners; the latter benefitting from a wandering banjo that could be substituted into “House of the Rising Sun”. Rather haunting.
Normally, an album so concerned with the subject of love would grow tiresome but sufficient variety in arrangements keeps the attention. At any given tempo, Tess’s voice is comforting and alluring. Such qualities are those that religious figures warn against but given the choice here, one should shake hands with their devil and enjoy it.
Having already been recognised in the US, Miss Tess should now be looking forward to prolonged adoration in the UK. “Darling, oh Darling” is a fine introduction to the music of Miss Tess. As with a finely-poured cocktail, you’ll keep coming back for more.
Available from CD Baby.