Great Falls Tribune
Friday October 22nd 2004
Pete Swanson

Bozeman trio's latest CD shows off group's versatility, smooth style

The Jeni Fleming Acoustic Trio continues a sweep across the Hi-Line in the coming weeks. Look for the Bozeman trio at appearances in Chinook on Nov. 9, Havre on Nov. 11 and Glasgow on Nov. 14.

Formed three years ago, the group features Jeni Fleming on lead vocals; her husband Jake Fleming on acoustic and electric guitars, saxophone, mandolin and backing vocals; and Chad Langford on acoustic bass and backing vocals. The trio's members all hold music degrees and have been associated musically for 10 years.

The trio's latest album release, "Things I Meant to Say ...," showcases an eclectic mix of music on 11 tracks. The album's opener is an ethereal version of the pop standard "Mr. Bojangles." The softly crafted song offers an initial glimpse of Jeni's subtle, pure vocal style. Woven into unimposing instrumentation, Jeni's playful voice displays the same pureness on the next track, "Stars and the Moon."

The album changes gears on track three with the bossa nova standard "Garota De Ipanema." Jeni's voice assumes a silky-smooth, seductive quality on a version of this song that features Portuguese lyrics. The bossa nova theme continues with an upbeat interpretation of "O Pato," in which Jeni displays impressive vocal agility as she races playfully through the lyric lines. Jake displays that same agility during a sax solo that dovetails the vocal line.

The album changes gears again with a menacing, swampy sax intro to the Bobbie Gentry classic "Ode to Billy Joe." Jeni's voice assumes a dark quality while retaining the vocal smoothness and subtlety already established on the album. Jake's sax solo cements the powerful, murky character of the tune.

"Old Man with a New Twist" is the only original song on the album. Penned by Jake, the melody line of this song, supposedly a tribute to his father, dances around unexpectedly with Jeni's voice in close compliance at all times.

Jazz standards on the album include "Twisted" and "Nature Boy." Both songs offer a chance for the trio to showcase their considerable musical prowess, and Jeni proves she's right at home as a jazz vocalist.

"Almost a Rainy Day" is a song written by Jake's father, Bill Fleming, when he was a teenager. The reflective, easy-flowing ballad once again provides Jeni the opportunity to mesmerize listeners with her elegant, silky vocal technique.

The album closes with a hypnotic interpretation of Cyndi Lauper's pop hit "Time After Time," in which Jeni further displays the versatility of her voice.

"Things I Meant to Say ..." is music you'd expect to hear in any metropolitan lounge setting. The instrumentation is precise, tastefully crafted and always complements Jeni's vocal lines.

The Jeni Fleming Acoustic Trio will release a new album, "Once Around the Sun," in early December. The work will contain a mix of original and cover material, according to Jeni. On the heels of that release, the trio will perform in Great Falls on Feb. 5. To learn more about the group or purchase albums, visit www.jenifleming.com.