Georgia Mancio, Alan Broadbent, Songbook (Roomspin Records)
Pianist and composer Alan Broadbent has found his lyricist. Further good news: in their Songbook, Georgia Mancio sings her words to Broadbent’s songs with taste, feeling and faultless intonation. Their collaboration began after the Anglo-Italian singer wrote a lyric to “The Long Goodbye,†a Broadbent composition for Charlie Haden’s 1991 Quartet West album Haunted Heart. A series of engagements in England gave the two opportunities to develop further repertoire. Some of the songs have been in Broadbent’s solo, trio and Quartet West books for years; “Where the Soft Winds Blow,” for instance. Some are brand new, including the tender “Lullaby for MM,†a remembrance of Mancio’s father. Broadbent’s solo turns have the strength, logic and wit that make him a consistently interesting pianist. Bassist Oli Hayhurst and drummer Dave Ohm are sensitive in support. For a video trailer about the album, go here.