In 1993 multi-instrumentalist
Miles Donahue released four CDs at the same time, subtitled
Standards, Vols. 1-4.
Stranger in Paradise is the first in this series, featuring
Donahue on tenor, alto, and trumpet along with several different rhythm sections. Robin McElhatten contributes effective vocals on three of the songs ("Always," "I Love Paris," and "Embraceable You"). Despite the vintage material that is performed, the music is reharmonized and sounds much more somber and serious than one might expect. One hears both a modern and a downbeat feel to the interpretations, so this series is less recommended to swing fans than to those who enjoy
Michael Brecker's versions of standards.
Donahue is a fine player and to his credit does not sound like any of his predecessors. ~ Scott Yanow