Time: 51:34
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front
01. Nature Boy (4:46)
02. Seven Sisters (4:33)
03. Skylark (4:56)
04. Cool Water (5:44)
05. V' Hi She' Am' Da (6:26)
06. Baltimore Oriole (4:24)
07. Into The Blue (4:48)
08. Song To A Seagull (4:57)
09. Round Midnight (6:06)
10. Vocalise (4:51)
With her improvisational style, instrumental approach to the voice and a soulfulness to her sound Lou has come home to her roots in jazz, falling in love all over again with this endlessly beautiful musical form. Whether scat swing singing or lingering over a leisurely love ballad, the heart of her work has always been a love of music, her passion for jazz and her delight in performing for audiences.
Lou says:
'I have had the honour and pleasure to work with a dream team of brilliant instrumentalists who have contributed in so many ways to the growth of this project. Thanks especially to Terry Pack (bass), Wayne McConnell (piano), Dan Hayman (drums/ percussion) and Simon D'souza (saxes) for their commitment, creativity, support, unstoppable talent and for being such fun to work with throughout this process. Being joined along the way by James McMillan (trumpet/ flugelhorn) then, later, Merlin Shepherd (clarinet) and Ben Sarfas (violin), further developed and enriched this album. Several cauldrons of soup later, and the songs having grown organically, here it is…'
'The songs speak of the elements; of fragility, earth and erosion; and of flight, in an echo of our emotional landscapes. It’s all about space, texture and feeling and letting the performances breathe.'
'I wanted to create a meaningful body of work that would sit together well, and have integrity both in significance and interpretation of the songs. Included are my own compositions and original lyrics penned to a gorgeous piece, Seven Sisters, by bassist Terry Pack. Alongside our band’s collaborative arrangements of standards and my own compositions, there’s a song in Hebrew and one by Rachmaninov (which I’ve sung in the past as a classical piece). There’s a poem by Shelley (To a Skylark) exquisitely interpreted by Simon D’souza on soprano sax and an enduring Joni Mitchell number (Song to a Seagull) that I once sang with my guitar as a teenager. I believe a beautifully composed piece of music can transcend the style in which it is written and I think bringing these songs into the jazz arena has worked.’
‘I really enjoy integrating the pure sounds of some world instruments in my work. Tamboura and singing bowl have added their own evocative flavour to the overall sound.’
‘Lovely originals alongside much loved classics make this a classy, sensitive and thoughtful collection of songs
with world-class playing throughout.’ Claire Martin OBE
‘Intimacy, depth, subtly offbeat songwriting. Lovely clarity and resonance vocally and ensemble feel to the arrangements. Music to live with.’ ~Andy Bungay, Wandsworth Radio
‘An enjoyable album filled with different textures. Lou Beckerman’s voice is full of clear articulation, rich tones and confident phrasing. Beautiful singing, unique arrangements and lots of creative, melodic soloing.’ ~Sussex Jazz Mag
Lou says:
'I have had the honour and pleasure to work with a dream team of brilliant instrumentalists who have contributed in so many ways to the growth of this project. Thanks especially to Terry Pack (bass), Wayne McConnell (piano), Dan Hayman (drums/ percussion) and Simon D'souza (saxes) for their commitment, creativity, support, unstoppable talent and for being such fun to work with throughout this process. Being joined along the way by James McMillan (trumpet/ flugelhorn) then, later, Merlin Shepherd (clarinet) and Ben Sarfas (violin), further developed and enriched this album. Several cauldrons of soup later, and the songs having grown organically, here it is…'
'The songs speak of the elements; of fragility, earth and erosion; and of flight, in an echo of our emotional landscapes. It’s all about space, texture and feeling and letting the performances breathe.'
'I wanted to create a meaningful body of work that would sit together well, and have integrity both in significance and interpretation of the songs. Included are my own compositions and original lyrics penned to a gorgeous piece, Seven Sisters, by bassist Terry Pack. Alongside our band’s collaborative arrangements of standards and my own compositions, there’s a song in Hebrew and one by Rachmaninov (which I’ve sung in the past as a classical piece). There’s a poem by Shelley (To a Skylark) exquisitely interpreted by Simon D’souza on soprano sax and an enduring Joni Mitchell number (Song to a Seagull) that I once sang with my guitar as a teenager. I believe a beautifully composed piece of music can transcend the style in which it is written and I think bringing these songs into the jazz arena has worked.’
‘I really enjoy integrating the pure sounds of some world instruments in my work. Tamboura and singing bowl have added their own evocative flavour to the overall sound.’
‘Lovely originals alongside much loved classics make this a classy, sensitive and thoughtful collection of songs
with world-class playing throughout.’ Claire Martin OBE
‘Intimacy, depth, subtly offbeat songwriting. Lovely clarity and resonance vocally and ensemble feel to the arrangements. Music to live with.’ ~Andy Bungay, Wandsworth Radio
‘An enjoyable album filled with different textures. Lou Beckerman’s voice is full of clear articulation, rich tones and confident phrasing. Beautiful singing, unique arrangements and lots of creative, melodic soloing.’ ~Sussex Jazz Mag
Into The Blue