female j*** vocalists...

Posted by: ken c on 01 February 2002

i have just been listening to nina simone's "blue for you" -- fabulous album!!! listened to "suzanne" a few times.

at the risk of increasing my now frighteningly long "to buy" list, what other female jazz singers make you feel "gone"...??

i know there are going to be a few very obvious ones in the suggestions, but hey, what does that matter!!?

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by John C

Ken, Im glad you asked this. I'm going to limit myself to one singer and one CD.

Sheila Jordan - Portrait of Sheila (Bluenote), available in HMV in Oxford St recently. I saw this master at Ronnie Scotts last year, now 70 years old but still the greatest female jazz singer alive today. The recording on this CD is stunning. Think Charlie Parker.

John

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by Chris L

My favourite is probably very conventional and boring, and she's the late Peggy Lee. I love the intimate way she sang, even on records and CD's I always feel she's singing right to me.

Annie Ross ranks high on my list, as does Anita O'Day.

I know that she's usually dropped into the blackhole of easy listening, but I love Eva Cassidy's feel for jazz numbers.

My father would probably disown me if I don't mention Blossom Dearie, who doesn't rank as one of favourite singers, but her presentation and writing have such a sense of fun, it's not to find it infectious.

And lastly, in this not-too-comprehensive list, is Linda Ronstadt's recordings with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra. She also shows a nice feel for jazz "standards".

Chris L

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by Keith Mattox

"Songs for Distingue' Lovers"

get it

Cheers

Keith.

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by Phil Barry

Certainly you've heard some Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sarah Vaughan (though many of her arrangemenst are too syrupy for me)? If not, get thee to a library or CD store! Better yet, get thee to a used LP store!

Regards.

Phil

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by Cheese

Patti's voice and soul, and Tuck's fabulous guitar accompaniment. That's it.

Any of their records are good, you can't go wrong.

Cheese

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by ken c

...but I love Eva Cassidy's feel for jazz numbers.

oh man... so do i.

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by ken c

i am taking notes:

Sheila Jordan - Portrait of Sheila (Bluenote), thanks john c

Annie Ross ranks high on my list, as does Anita O'Day. thanks chris

"Songs for Distingue' Lovers". oh, man. i have this. also "lady day" "lady in satin" etc. thanks keith

phil, i have sarah vaughan "you're mine you" and she also appears on another album "4 by 4" with ella, dinah washington and billie

Tuck & Patti: Patti's voice and soul, and Tuck's fabulous guitar accompaniment. thanks cheese.

quite a few suggestions i dont know -- looks like i am going to buy me some new music.

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by Chris L

I'd forgotten about Lady Day.

Well, off to do my "penance" - several CD's worth of Ms. Holiday!

Chris L

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by Giles Felgate

A couple of others beside the already mentioned obvious ones:
Carmen McCrae - has a good sampler on MCA called "my greatest songs"
Helen Merrill - any of her EmArcy or Verve stuff from the fifties
Ethel Waters - soundtrack to Cabin in the Sky
Others you m ay find on various compilations from the 30's to the 50's include Mildred Bailey, June Christy, Maxine Sullivan, Brenda Lee, though these tend to be featured vocalists with Big Bands rather than small ensemble stuff.

I have a soft spot for Dinah Washington, esp her "In the Land of Hi-Fi" and "Dinah Jams", Anita O'Day esp her stuff with Gene Krupa eg "Drumming Man" and of course Ella's songbooks.

Giless

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by redeye

Jane Monheit

sexy voice, sexy surname..

Posted on: 02 February 2002 by ken c

... I've had the pleasure of seeing in concert and meeting and seems as beautiful on the inside as outside

lucky you!!!

i dont know diane nalini. but i am definitely going to get "after dusk", and try to get to know her as much as you do. i challenge you to a duel @ dawn??

i thank you for the recommendation...

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 02 February 2002 by David Stewart

Claire Martin anybody??

David

Posted on: 02 February 2002 by ken c

i am also suprised that noone has mentioned diana krall. i think i understand why; i am not being unkind - i have 4 cd's of hers. they are "OK"...

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 02 February 2002 by David Stewart

Trouble is that admitting to ownership of these costs you a mint in FEPs (Flat Earth Points) see previous posts on the subject.

Posted on: 02 February 2002 by ken c

Trouble is that admitting to ownership of these costs you a mint in FEPs (Flat Earth Points) see previous posts on the subject.

ahhh, well i walked straight into that didnt i?

she's not "bad", but... ehhmmmm, i dont know what else to say... ok, what about "oy, want to buy 4 mint cd's from me??"

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 02 February 2002 by Stewart Cooper

Ken,

Did you ever try Abbey Lincoln? A Turtle's Dream and When There Is Love (with Hank Jones) in particular. Idiosyncratic, yes, but...

Stewart

Posted on: 02 February 2002 by ken c

Did you ever try Abbey Lincoln? A Turtle's Dream and When There Is Love (with Hank Jones) in particular. Idiosyncratic, yes, but...

no. but will look out for this. thanks. any similarities with better known?

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 02 February 2002 by ken c

Cassandra Wilson-Blue Skies

i like cassandra a lot --- a bit embarassed i dont have "blue skies" -- this will be remedied pdq.

i have "blue light till dawn", "she who weeps" and "new moon daughter"

sensuous voice... it really does my brother's head (and other things) in...

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 03 February 2002 by ken c

As for Ms Nalini, you will truly fall for the track After Dusk, the best track of the album IMHO - I'm closing my eyes and imagining it now, hmmmm, written about one of her friends too which just brings it closer in.

stop, stop, stop!!!

will let you know what i think when i get it. couldnt find it yesterday in one of our rather useless local record shop.

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 03 February 2002 by ken c

You will have to order it through one of the shops/sites listed on her website, it's not on general distribution.

I got mine from Rays Jazz in Covent Garden, details on the site.

ben,

many thanks. i visit rays quite frequently, so will pick this up next time i am there...

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 03 February 2002 by fred simon

quote:
Originally posted by JumpedBackIn:
although her live rendition of Joni Mitchell's A Case of You did a lot to redeem the okay cd's.

Speaking of whom, as long as we're discussing female jazz singers, Joni herself has been sounding very good lately, both on Herbie Hancock's Gershwin's World, singing The Man I Love and Summertime, and on her own album of standards (beautifully arranged by Vince Mendoza), Both Sides Now.

Posted on: 03 February 2002 by samo7

PATRICIA BARBER...THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD...IT'S TRUE

Posted on: 03 February 2002 by ken c

yeah, fred, what a line up (special guests etc) on that album!!

kathleen battle (i dont know her)
james carter
chick corea
kenny garrett
eddie henderson
joni mitchell
wayne shorter
stevie wonder

i believe this album won some jazz award a few years ago?

excellent album no question about it... piano is what got me into it, thanks for mentioning joni --"the man i love" is a good number..

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 03 February 2002 by ken c

i dont have any patricia barbers. which particular one do you recommend? -- "cafe blue"?? or others?

many thanks

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 03 February 2002 by Keith Mattox

quote:
Originally posted by ken c:
i dont have any patricia barbers. which particular one do you recommend? -- "cafe blue"?? or others?
many thanks
enjoy
ken

"Cafe Blue" is probably your best start - the rest of her albums share the same sound - either you like it or you don't (I generally do).

Can anyone comment on how she is live?

Cheers

Keith.