Matti P
Here's the first review for the vocalist and organist who was born and raised in New Zealand and moved to USA in 2008. Her surname has changed twice. The first two albums were released as Adrienne Hindmarsh, then the next two as Adrienne Fenemor. Nowadays, I found out, she's Adrienne McKay. Don't know if she has continued her discography since 2016, though.
Blue Skies is her self-released debut album, recorded as a trio with guitarist Josh Hindmarsh and drummer Jim Rupp, Adrienne herself playing Hammond organ. It's a lighthearted set of mostly pretty well known standard pieces. Let's start with Adrienne's voice. It's charmingly a bit girlish and innocent (without being too naiive), with a resemblance to Suzanne Vega or the vocalist in The Sundays.
Songs like 'Blue Skies', 'Love Me Or Leave Me', 'Fly Me to the Moon' or 'Route 66' hardly need an introduction. Adrienne's trio doesn't attempt to bring anything radically new to the evergreens, but perhaps these versions in general are slightly more instrumentally oriented than the versions recorded by the numerous famous vocalists; for example 'Fly Me to the Moon' begins with a minute-long organ solo. But otherwise the listener won't be surprised by the interprertations.
The Brazilian song 'Agua de Beber' is remembered from Astrud Gilberto's repertoire, and 'My Baby Just Cares for Me' from Nina Simone's. Adrienne stays sincerely herself all the way, without trying to bring anyone in mind. What I find a weakness of this album is the rather narrow stylistic approach. All is very light-hearted, happy and groovy, which is fairly enjoyable, admittedly. But some slow ballads or more dramatic emotional substance in the compositions along the way would have brought some variety.