Time: 39:13
Size: 89.8 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front
[2:47] 1. No Regrets
[2:56] 2. Did I Remember
[2:53] 3. What A Night, What A Moon, What A Boy
[3:41] 4. I Wished On The Moon
[3:45] 5. I Cried For You
[4:51] 6. These Foolish Things
[3:39] 7. What A Little Moonlight Can Do
[4:22] 8. Reaching For The Moon
[2:55] 9. Too Hot For Words
[4:07] 10. If You Were Mine
[3:11] 11. Miss Brown To You
"Billie Remembered," the most recent release of the marvelous American jazz singer Stephanie Nakasian, is indeed, a tribute album to the late, great twentieth century American blues/jazz singer Billie Holiday. But, thankfully, it stays away from that iconic singer's most famous work; it is, instead, a reimagining of an early 1935 recording, now more than 75 years old. Nakasian told an interviewer, "I love the feeling of it. It's very perky and happy. It's some of the more obscure music, which I always love. And I just love doing it. So I decided to try to channel her and get more Billie into my singing, as well. That's part of the reason to do it."
The album, which was featured on a recent episode of "Fresh Air," with Terry Gross, has a life of its own. It gives us eleven songs, and Nakasian has rounded up some distinguished backing musicians to record it, "primus inter pares" her husband and log-time collaborator Hod O'Brien, an outstanding stride player, at piano. Randy Sadke at trumpet; Harry Allen, Tenor Sax; Dan Block, Alto Sax, Clarinet; Marty Grosz, Guitar; Chuck Riggs, Drums; Neil Miner, Bass. Excellent players all, and undoubtedly one of the reasons the album sounds so good: they provide a much fuller sound than the trios and quartets most other Holiday tributes try to get away with. And they give us a sound that sounds artfully, a little bit, dated. While they straight ahead swing. And so does Nakasian. While sounding absolutely beautiful and capturing Lady Day's spirit as well as her phrasing, and strong hints of her voice. ~Stephanie dePue
The album, which was featured on a recent episode of "Fresh Air," with Terry Gross, has a life of its own. It gives us eleven songs, and Nakasian has rounded up some distinguished backing musicians to record it, "primus inter pares" her husband and log-time collaborator Hod O'Brien, an outstanding stride player, at piano. Randy Sadke at trumpet; Harry Allen, Tenor Sax; Dan Block, Alto Sax, Clarinet; Marty Grosz, Guitar; Chuck Riggs, Drums; Neil Miner, Bass. Excellent players all, and undoubtedly one of the reasons the album sounds so good: they provide a much fuller sound than the trios and quartets most other Holiday tributes try to get away with. And they give us a sound that sounds artfully, a little bit, dated. While they straight ahead swing. And so does Nakasian. While sounding absolutely beautiful and capturing Lady Day's spirit as well as her phrasing, and strong hints of her voice. ~Stephanie dePue
Billie Remembered: The Classic Songs Of Billie Holiday
Thank you mat tiggas - this is a wonderful treat.
ReplyDeleteIt can't fail - one of the best jazz singers out there, accompanied by a superb all star band. For an old mainstreamer like me it is sheer heaven!!
A truly exciting record, with a superb singer and a bunch of WOW musicians. Great, Great and Greater ! Merci,
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