Andy Bey’s career has had many incarnations. The great singer performed with his sisters in a vocal trio in the '50s and ’60s and lent his edgy vocals to Gary Bartz’s politically charged NTU Troop in the '70s. More recently, he’s recorded a number of solo albums (including the excellent Shades of Bey, which includes a wonderful version of Nick Drake’s “River Man”). On 2013’s The World According to Andy Bey, he goes it alone: it’s just his voice, his piano, and a set of songs. The album opens with Rodgers and Hart’s “It Never Entered My Mind.” Bey’s quiet vocals are exquisite, and it’s clear he isn’t afraid to dig into a song's emotional core. The original “Dedicated to Miles” finds Bey unleashing wordless vocals that riff on horn lines. Another striking original, “There’s So Many Ways to Approach the Blues,” features singing and piano playing that seem independent of each other yet blend beautifully. You’ve heard the Gershwins’ “S’Wonderful” plenty of times, but check out this swinging take on the classic. The album closes with Arlen and Gershwin’s “Dissertation on the State of Bliss,” where every word is savored.

iTunes

Spotify

Share