CD Review: Renee Fleming / Haunted Heart

I recently heard Renee Fleming's new pop and jazz album "Haunted Heart" with Fred Hersch, piano and Bill Frisell, guitar. The first thought that popped into my mind was, "Someone please teach this woman how to swing!" As an admirer of her operatic work I was completely disappointed in this misguided attempt to venture into new territory. Despite some great playing by Hersch and especially Frisell, Fleming's leaden, overwrought delivery makes dirges out of these songs. It's bad enough having Rod Stewart strangling the Great American Songbook--four times now--but did you have to get into the act Renee?