Diane Hubka - West Coast Strings (2013)

I can still remember the enthusiastic response I had the first few times I heard Diane Hubka in action, around the start of the new millennium. In one of my Los Angeles Times reviews of her performances, I mentioned “the sweet-toned timbres” of her singing, and the “coolly articulate qualities of her interpretations.” In another, I described the way “the sweet sound of Hubka’s voice blends perfectly with her 7-string guitar.”

Okay, I may have been a little redundant about the “sweet” sound of her voice, even though it’s very sweet, indeed – as well as warm, pliable and intimate. And the truth is that all those words come quickly to mind while hearing Diane embrace the inner heart of a song. Which is exactly what she does with the far ranging program of music on West Coast Strings – music that offers her ample opportunities for vocal jazz adventures amid the stimulating musical companionship of eight West Coast master guitarists.

West Coast Strings is actually a follow-up musical journey to one she took in 2002 with her recording, “You Inspire Me”, in which she was joined by a line-up of seven world class, East Coast-based guitarists. When she moved to LA in 2004, Diane quickly linked up with the large community of gifted players, primarily via veteran guitarist John Pisano’s “Guitar Night” which features a different guest guitarist every week, jamming with Pisano in spontaneous fashion. It’s no surprise that she selected Pisano as the first on her list when she began the line up for this recording. But Diane did more than gather eight West Coast jazz masters. She also organized them into fascinating combinations. On some tracks she’s backed by a single guitarist. On others there are pairs. Some tunes have rhythm sections, some don’t.

Diane only plays on three tracks but each one resonates with her affection for the lush sounds of her 7-string guitar. Add to that the almost symbiotic way in which she relates to her stellar guitarist friends in each of the instrumental combinations. Bringing the rhythmic spirit of jazz to her musical story-telling, she blends the intimacy of her voice with the panoramic string sounds of her backing.

On this captivating new album, Diane has assembled a West Coast jazz guitar summit, with each of the all-star groupings providing the perfect setting for her soaring vocals. “Sweet toned,” “coolly articulate” and “intimate”? Enhanced by the lush sounds of her 7-string guitar? Yes. All that and a lot more. - DON HECKMAN

Tracklist:

1. West Coast Blues (feat. Anthony Wilson & Bobby Pierce)
2. Moondance (feat. Mimi Fox)
3. Brigas Nunca Mais (feat. Peter Sprague)
4. Peace (feat. Larry Koonse)
5. Warming to Spring (feat. David Eastlee & Barry Zweig)
6. It Ain't Necessarily So (feat. Anthony Wilson & Bobby Pierce)
7. Amanacer (feat. John Pisano & Peter Sprague)
8. Never Let Me Go (feat. Larry Koonse)
9. Moon Ray (feat. David Eastlee & Barry Zweig)
10. They Say It's Spring (feat. Ron Eschete & John Pisano)
11. Slow Hot Wind (feat. Ron Eschete)
12. A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing (feat. Mimi Fox)
13. Someone Else Is Steppin' In (feat. Anthony Wilson & Bobby Pierce)