This is apparent from the start as Dorough and Landesman’s "Small Day Tomorrow" opens the album. It’s a strong choice that showcases Plotnick’s cool style. Her unhurried delivery and thoughtful pauses add drama to the already moody number. Nakamura’s percussive accents provide interesting tension to the song, creating the feel of an approaching storm.
The band works hard to create different emotions. "Chair Song" is one of six Plotnick originals, with Furman having co-writing credit. The song is a quirky number, delivered in a style that’s part singing, part talking. As a result, it has a cabaret feel. "I’m addicted to chairs," sings Plotnick. "I need my fix of cool places to sit." The song is fun, but the arrangement avoids being frilly. Plotnick delivers the punchlines, but the band serves as a well-timed and serious straightman, setting everything up.
Plotnickstraight man also puts a fresh spin on Cole Porter’s "Get Out of Town" (aka "free-jazz, Afro-Cuban freak out"). Here, the Connecticut native and her band create a tense five minutes as they play with different rhythms. PlotnickCubanfreak out tries some wordless vocals during one stretch.
Because I Walk Alone has more than the typical well-traveled standards, it is recommended for listeners looking for something new and different.
