The Dave Miller Trio & Rebecca Dumaine - 'The Consequence Of You' album review

You know a performer is really talented when they complete their set, and you snap out of your reverie wondering where the time went. That’s precisely what happens when you sit down to listen to The Consequence Of You by The Dave Miller Trio & Rebecca Dumaine.

If you’re not familiar with either artist, then it’s time to change that. The Dave Miller Trio, consisting of pianist Dave Miller, bassist Mario Suraci, and drummer Bill Belasco, has established itself throughout the San Francisco Bay Area over the last 30 years. Rebecca Dumaine is an accomplished actress and educator who decided to pursue music full time after moving back to the Bay Area from the East Coast. Oh, and Dumaine is Miller’s daughter, so there’s that.

The Consequence Of You is the third album the band has recorded with Dumaine, following up on 2011’s Deed I Do and 2013’s Better Than Anything. The CD consists of 12 songs, all hits from the Great American Songbook. Some are classic standards, while others are lesser known tunes. But the bottom line is they all have great melodies and lyrics which turn magical in these artists’ hands.

Technically speaking, the album is performed by a trio of musicians and a vocalist. However, this is not your typical singer-with-a-backing-group act. Instead this is a quartet-like ensemble very much in tune with one another’s styles and musical tastes. All the musicians (including guest guitarist Brad Buethe) have expressive solos, almost like being at a live jam. Dumaine plays off this swinging atmosphere with a relaxed and unpretentious delivery that brings a lot of fun and joy to every piece.

Dumaine and company really know and understand their material. These standards are nicely arranged, and the band finds just the right balance between melody and rhythm. Also on point are Dumaine’s mature vocals. Her clear diction, immaculate timing, and insane control, along with the way she uses her acting chops to effectively deliver a lyric, all add up to a lot of fun for listeners.

Highlights include the CD’s opening track, “Beautiful Love,” a King/Young/VanAlstyne tune with a haunting melody; a sophisticated twist on Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley’s “Pure Imagination” from the beloved film, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory; “Down With Love” a cutesy number previously sung by Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand; and finally classics like “Put On A Happy Face” and “If I Were A Bell,” both showing off Dumaine’s delightful scats.

All in all, The Consequence Of You is a pleasant-sounding record brimming with sparkling good cheer, contagious beats and seamless musicianship.

For more information on The Consequence Of You, please visit
The Dave Miller Trio’s website and Rebecca Dumaine’s website or follow them on Facebook.