Posts Tagged Vocals
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February 27, 2019 by Simon Sweetman
Kurt Elling: The Questions
Kurt Elling The Questions Sony Masterworks Kurt Elling remains the finest contemporary male jazz singer – I’ve been a fan across most of the last 20 years. It’s his voice, of course. The warmth. The depth. The heart. But it’s also the repertoire – and maybe those same descriptors can be applied, but it’s certainly […]Archive
August 31, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Five Songs For Friday: 26 – Chet Baker
I can’t remember when I first heard Chet Baker but I’ve been a fan for a while. A long time. Feels like he’s just been there forever. My whole life. But I would have been a teenager before I first heard him knowingly. And then it was all in. And it’s still the way. Currently […]Archive
June 11, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 400
Bobby McFerrin, Spontaneous Inventions (1986) I’ve loved Bobby McFerrin and I’ve hated him too – and just recently I’ve decided the guy might be a genius. Yes, it’s hard to give his career an appraisal that’s fair because Don’t Worry Be Happy gets in the way. But I was taken with this album – and […]Archive
May 26, 2018 by Simon Sweetman
Madison McFerrin: Finding Foundations, Vol. II (ep)
Madison McFerrin Finding Foundations, Vol. II (ep) 630113 Records DK Yes, she is the daughter of the legendary vocalist Bobby McFerrin. That means she’s also the brother of Taylor McFerrin – and their grandfather was the opera singer, Robert McFerrin; the first African-American man to sing at the famed Metropolitan Opera in New York City. […]Archive
August 18, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
The 1001 Albums Challenge # 5: Sarah Vaughan and Her Trio – “At Mister Kelly’s”
I love Sarah Vaughan but I really know her – mostly – from compilations. Well, no, I have a couple of the original albums – but I had never heard this. And it really is a treat; such a wonderful, relaxed feel to it, fluffed lines, and scatting in place of forgotten lyrics, a bump […]Archive
June 10, 2017 by Simon Sweetman
Gig Review: Dianne Reeves (June 9, Wgtn)
Dianne Reeves Opera House, Wellington Friday, June 9 Dianne Reeves returned to New Zealand for this year’s Jazz Festival, first time for her wonderful band though – long-serving pianist Peter Martin and guitarist Romero Lubambo joined by the rhythm section of Reginald Veal (bass) and Terreon Gully (drums).Archive
September 22, 2016 by Simon Sweetman
V/A: The Rough Guide to Blues Women
Various Artists: The Rough Guide To Blues Women World Music Network It’s a separate discussion whether you like the branding of such compilations but personally I’ve always felt very comfortable with The Rough Guide series, particularly its various artists compilations – great liner-notes and wise selections; a good way to compile the artists that made […]Archive
April 13, 2016 by Simon Sweetman
José James: Yesterday I Had The Blues – The Music of Billie Holiday
José James Yesterday I Had The Blues: The Music of Billie Holiday Blue Note Of all the “100 Year” celebrations to honour Billie Holiday this felt the most necessary – a brave new voice taking on that wonderful music. Because, at the time, Billie Holiday was exactly that: a brave new voice taking on that […]Archive
October 4, 2015 by Simon Sweetman
The Ghost of Electricity: War Stories by Jon McLeary # 79 Vocals – Part Three; Funerals
And I’ll be there – in sunshine or in shadow When Michelle got pregnant her mother wasn’t very happy about it and didn’t want to have anything to do with me – we were not getting married and had only just met. Right after Angus was born I called Margret from the hospital and told […]Archive
September 21, 2015 by Simon Sweetman
The Ghost of Electricity: War Stories by Jon McLeary # 77 Vocals
It’s the best time. When you go into record the vocals over the tracks with the headphones on or when you open your lips to sing that first line at a live gig to a big crowd – there is nothing quite like it. I wasn’t blessed with any great voice and so I had […]Archive
August 2, 2015 by Simon Sweetman