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00000177-b008-d5f4-a5ff-b9f8b4b60000Radar is WBGO's exclusive album preview feature.

Radar: Listen to Duchess, 'Laughing At Life'

Dutchess "Laughing At Life" cover

What they sing is harder than it sounds. Much harder. And always swinging. When the three singers of Duchess — Amy Cervini, Melissa Stylianou, Hilary Gardner — sing in the style and spirit of the Boswell Sisters, the harmonizing trio from New Orleans, popular especially on the radio in the 30’s, they articulate each note of the melody, each word of the lyric, often almost supersonically. Really, really, really fast! And in perfect harmony! And having a helluva lotta fun!

All three have been around for a while. All three have recorded albums played in recent years on WBGO.  Amy’s “digging me, digging you,” her tribute to Blossom Dearie. Melissa’s “No Regrets,” hip twists on standards all across the songbooks. Hilary’s “The Great City,” a celebration of songs metropolitan. And now comes their second trio album, Laughing at Life, new on Anzic.

They sing standards: “Sunny Side of the Street,” “Stars Fell on Alabama,” Cole Porter’s “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye,” and a Billie Holiday favorite, the title song “Laughing at Life.” They sing songs not as familiar but by some of the same masters: Cole Porter’s “Give Him The Oo La La,” Johnny Mercer’s “Strip Polka,” and a Sinatra favorite, “Here’s to the Losers.” Duchess sings Duke, “Creole Love Call” with trombonist Wycliffe Gordon joining in, and clarinetist Anat Cohen plays on the Boswell favorite of “Everybody Loves My Baby.” Duchess often performs at the 55 Bar, and they’ll be singing an unusual 4-night stand there February 22-25.

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Michael Bourne, who died on August 21, 2022, was a presence on the air at WBGO between the end of 1984 and the start of 2022 when he retired from full-time hosting duty. He is the host of the Singers Unlimited Podcast by WBGO Studios. Previously, he hosted the popular Singers Unlimited (1985-2022). He also hosted the equally popular Blues Break for several years. Michael is a senior contributor to Down Beat, with the magazine since 1969. Doctor Bourne earned a PhD in Theatre from Indiana University -- which comes in handy when he's a theatre critic for the WBGO Journal.