All the songs on "A Second Chance" have very intelligent lyrics that are at times challenging to interpret for they deal with different aspects of love, relationships and life in general.

10 MP3 Songs in this album (53:42) !
Related styles: Jazz: Contemporary Jazz, Urban/R&B: Quiet Storm, Solo Female Artist

People who are interested in Diana Ross Dionne Warwick Phyllis Hyman should consider this download.


Details:
It is impossible not to be impressed by A Second Chance. Everything about it is first-rate: the fresh new material, the philosophical and insightful lyrics, the colorful and grooving arrangements by Alva Nelson, the playing of the musicians, and the spirit of the high-quality background singers.

And then there is Dorothy Leigh, who makes her recording debut on this program. Her appealing voice is both sweet and very expressive, youthful yet mature. It is obvious that she believes in every word that she sings, with many of the lyrics from the ten songs relating directly to her experiences.

For Dorothy, the title A Second Chance could serve as the plot of her life. She loved to sing as a child and dreamed of becoming a vocalist. But warned about the perils of a life in music, she instead had a successful career working for corporations and law firms. While she tried to sing whenever she could, work was the main priority and she spent a decade away from music. She received her second chance when she was laid off from a job that she had for 11 years.

Dorothy had never lost her love for singing and this time she decided to pursue her dream. âBecause I had not sung much in recent times, I worked hard at regaining my voice. I took lessons from Juanita Fleming, studying with her for a year, and I also studied briefly with Janice Robinson.â With her former pianist Alva Nelson, who was now also a notable arranger and record producer, she planned her first CD. Unlike most singers who seem content to perform swing standards and songs that have become overly familiar through the years, Dorothy and Alva put together a set of brand new material that was composed by three individuals who mean a great deal to the singer.

âSome of the most beautiful lyrics and music came from the writer who contributed most of the songs, Juanita Fleming. She was a jazz singer who now mostly sings gospel music. She means a great deal to me. When I came back, she was the woman who I first studied singing with. She acted as my vocal coach for the CD and contributed great songs that were jazz-oriented.â While five numbers represent Juanita Fleming, Janice Robinson contributed two originals. âI studied with Janice for a few months. She is a very talented R&B singer and songwriter. Up until then, I had only sung American song standards and jazz, so she taught me how to feel this type of music.â Alva Nelson, who brought the other three songs to the project, not only played piano and keyboards but also arranged all of the music and chose the musicians and background singers.

The very intelligent lyrics are at times challenging to interpret for they deal with different aspects of love, relationship and life in general. But while this is Dorothy Leigh's recording debut, she proves throughout that she is a mature artist who knows how to express a wide variety of emotions in an accessible way, with sincerity, credibility and deep understanding.

âWherever we touch,â which is about the excitement of being with the right partner, is given an exhilarating performance. The background singers riff, there are spots for Nelson's keyboards and a bit of trumpet, and Dorothy sounds quite joyful.

â'A Second Choice,' which is my story, is about not having the time and the inclination to pursue my dreams earlier, but taking the opportunity when it finally arrived again. It says that each of us have a second chance every day of our lives.â The soulful tune, which has some powerful singing from both Dorothy and the background vocalists, is about finally being free to be what one wants to be. âDon't hang upâ is closely related to âA Second Chance.â It is about believing in oneself, not getting hung up on little things, and moving forward toward one's dream.

The lyrics of âHome Againâ are about a common situation where one partner does not realize how special the other person is. The relationship is thrown away, then he experiences personal growth and feels the loss, and decides to go back and try again. âGone Away To Stayâ deals with an up and down relationship, and a couple's desire to stay together despite the odds. The catchy and upbeat music contrasts with the challenges that lie ahead.

âI'm Gonna Love You Foreverâ is a memorable love ballad about surviving hard times only to find that love is forever. âNever Did I Stop Loving You,â which is given a very swinging treatment with the feel of a big band and a bit of Cecil Bridgewater's solo trumpet, talks about a person who initially does not want to admit that she is in love until she gives in to the obvious.

The importance of being oneself without worry about other people's opinions is the plot of âDon't Call Me A Fool.â From its gospel piano introduction and soulful alto to Dorothy's vocal and the spirited background singers on the rollicking closing vamp, this is a particularly memorable performance.

The medium-tempo ballad âConfession,â (âtaking the extra step, laying your cards on the table and being truthful about your feelingsâ) and âTime To Go,â which deals with ending a relationship amicably because it is the right thing to do, conclude this impressive set.

Taken as a whole, A Second Chance is a major production that, due to the universal nature of its subject matter, the colorful arrangements, and the beauty of Dorothy's singing, is a set that will appeal to a large audience. Dorothy Leigh looks toward the future with enthusiasm. âI'd love to perform this music at large venues. I cannot wait for the world to hear this.â

Scott Yanow, author of ten jazz books including The Jazz Singers, Jazz On Film, Trumpet Kings and Jazz On Record 1917-76