JAZZ REVIEW : Weldon Sings Out at the Biltmore

Maxine Weldon, whose voice was in full cry Monday when she began a two-night stand at the Biltmore’s Grand Avenue Bar, has long been noted for two characteristics: her personable, self-confident manner and her taste for interesting songs, some of which draw on sources outside the jazz norm.

The first tendency became clear when she opened with “Your Place or Mine,” a tune of C&W; origin to which she brought more than a hint of the blues. Later came Percy Mayfield’s “You Lied to Me Baby,” Gordon Parks’ attractive “Don’t Misunderstand” and a single pop standard, “My Romance.”

Weldon’s basic style, a mixture of jazz, soul and R&B; elements, may not have changed, but there was an apparent lack of rapport between her and the five musicians. Even though this is her regular accompanying unit, led by the pianist and arranger Randy Randolph, what seemed to be happening was a vocal and instrumental shouting match, with singer and band trying to outdo each other in projecting to the last row of the room.

John Bolivar, on saxophone and flute, and Bobby Rodriguez on fluegelhorn and trumpet, constituted a less than ideal blend, playing arrangements that interfered more than they interacted. Little was heard, in fact, that a more restrained setting, matched with a muted horn and guitar, would not have improved. The band also played instrumental numbers, to better advantage, especially when Bolivar switched to flute.

Weldon has shown on records and often in person a finesse and sense of dynamic contrast that somehow have been lost along the way. A self-evaluation is called for if she is to recapture those seemingly mislaid and long attractive values.