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Southern Exposure: The Many Vocal Facets of Dorothy Doring
Contributed by Andrea Canter

What's fascinating about her new project is not only the diversity of material-from Gershwin to Bacharach to Coltrane and Joe Greene-but also the flexibility and stylistic range of Doring's voice. An amalgam of pop, R&B, and blues, all drawing from a deep well of jazz experience, Southern Exposure (Quarter Note Records) presents the many voices of this uniquely eclectic artist. David Torkanowsky's arrangements take full advantage of Doring's background in rock, country, Latin, R&B, and of course, jazz, and joyfully infuse her vocals with the New Orleans' vibe created by an outstanding supporting cast.

You can't pigeon-hole this music or the voice. Dorothy can emote longing passion as on the opening and closing tunes (“Besame Mucho” and “Throw It Way,” respectively); she can take Bacharach to R&B territory (“What the World Needs Now”); add a voice to a jazz classic (“Giant Steps”) as if was always meant to be sung; and take the blues to the Delta (“Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'”).

She can sing it sweet, with grit, with zing, with smoke, with salt.

The supporting cast draws on some of the finest talents in New Orleans. Derek Douget shines throughout on tenor, from his dark, seductive soloing on “Beseme Mucho” to a swinging romp on “I Love Paris” to his playful interactions with Doring on “That Old Black Magic.” Tim Greene also takes a turn on tenor, wailing magnificently on “Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'” full of bayou bravado.

On guitar, Steve Masakowski  particularly brings the instrumental to the foreground with a lightly fleeting solo on “I Love Paris” and nice turns on “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” and  “Throw It Away.” 

The percussion section deserves special mention, with Simon Lott (drums) opening the beat with a tribal groove on “Throw It Away” and punctuating with crackling pops throughout; Michael Skinkus (percussion) creates a unique sonic palette that underlies several tracks, giving a Caribbean-meets-Detroit zing to “What the World Needs Now.” 

But the instrumental hero here is arranger/producer David Torkanowsky. In addition to a wide ranging set of arrangements that showcase both Doring and the band, he manages piano, Wurlitzer, Fender Rhodes, and B-3 keyboards.

The CD title is Southern Exposure,..........but, above all, this is Doring Exposed, a gem of many facets, polished to a fine sheen and catching a different color, a different shading, at every turn.

Dorothy Doring's Southern Exposure should bring ballyhoos from the Bayou and, even with our Northern restraint, plenty of smiles and applause from the other end of the Mississippi.