Track listing: Je Cherche Un Homme, Lilac Wine, Harbor Lights, I'll Never Be The Same, Lucky Day, C'est Si Bon, Down Among the Sheltering Palms, Rose of Washington Square, Raglan Road, Born in Time
I interviewed Rachelle Garniez earlier this year before I dove very deep into her music. Sure I got a sense of her genre and sound for context sake but I've found that, when possible, when I interview an artist who is "new to me" it's fun to get to know them first. Then afterwards, I get the added personal insight of discovering their discography with a better understanding of the artist as a human being. Suffice it to say, Rachelle is a fascinating artist--rather than adhering to contemporary jazz orthodoxy, Garniez draws from an older lineage of American cabaret and French chanson, treating songs as dramatic narratives as much as musical performances.
At that time, she talked about the lead single from her forthcoming album Born in Time, "Lucky Day." The self-penned track is an ode of encouragement and support of a dear friend during a rough heartbreak. It's a gentle tune, offering a glimmer of positivity during and otherwise devastating emotional period.
I hate to say I told you so, But the planets shifted, Clouds all lifted, Light came shining through, Looks like your lucky day just dawned on you
Similar in its visceral power, "Lilac Wine" astutely addresses living life through the lens of bipolar disorder. The James Shelton song struck a chord with Garniez, who also lives with the condition. She delivers each lyric with a deeply personal passion and respect for the severe ebbs and flows that come along with it. Speaking on the song, she reflects, "It’s a thrill ride of euphoria and regret, addressing the issue of self medication, embodying the ecstasy and agony, self-doubt, and grand hallucination."
Two tracks tap into Garniez's first language, French. "Je Cherche Un Homme" and "C'est Si Bon" transport the listener to a charming French jazz club and "epitomize the cheeky bon vivant Gay Paree," in Rachelle's words. Simultaneously soothing and enlightening, their inclusion on the album bring a broader geographical and stylistic dimension to the album.
A particularly impressive artistic moment arrives in the form of Rachelle's 'scattish' ad libs during the Al Jolson-popularized "Down Among the Sheltering Palms." Her range and powerful vibrato produce an almost theremin-like performance to which I cannot produce a comparison. It's a must-listen as you play the record.
Born In Time's title (and closing) track is a Bob Dylan song brought to the table by one of the producers, Andrew Morse (co-producing along with Garniez and Christopher Allen). As with much of his catalog, the track is often comprised of different verses. "The fact that there are multiple alternate lyrics depending upon the performances and recordings [was] super appealing--it renders the song an active breathing organism, perpetually living out its title." Garniez's version jazzes it up a bit, eschewing the straight-ahead tempo and structure. Instead, she creates a vibe easily situated in the same fictitious Parisian jazz club we envisioned at the album's outset.
Having spoken with Garniez before spending significant time with her catalog, I found Born in Time to be an illuminating companion to our conversation. The curiosity, empathy, humor, and artistic fearlessness she displayed in person appear throughout the tracklist. By the time the closing title track fades out, you don't just feel like you've heard a collection of songs—you feel like you've spent time with the artist herself.
Photo/Artwork by George de Castro-Day