|
Kind: News, Opinion
|
Jazz singer Carmen McRae's words compiled by bassist Ray Brown
By HENNING JØRGENSEN
"What Do The Words Say?" asks jazz vocal legend Carmen McRae on the album with the same title (Blue Music Group, 2009). The album is 10 tracks of jazz standards, typical 1980's repertoire of McRae, incl. her arrangements of No More Blues, Old Devil Moon, What a Little Moonlight Can Do and A Prelude to a Kiss. She is backed up by Eric Gunnison, piano, Ray Brown, bass and Mickey Roker, drums. This previously unreleased recording was made on several jazz festivals in 1986. All tapes were collected, and best takes compiled by Ray Brown around year 2000. The singing demonstrates a mature McRae at her best, as she always was in a live concert situation. She believed in being an entertainer, and delivering a message with words in addition to the music. Here the meaning of the words are enveloped with depth and charismatic conviction. Her rhythm section supports her with sensitivity which leaves very little to be desired, at the most. If Brown didn't get to show enough of his virtuosity in the Oscar Peterson trio, here he definitely does it, all with taste and mind-blowing ears for fluid continuity and bounce. Gunnison's approach is traditional and complements McRae very well. Mickey Roker is a steady drummer and a legend in his own right. But the main focus is on the emotion which McRae can deliver with her raspy voice. It makes one shiver and hope for more of these posthumous releases.
LATEST NEWS
Cinderella at Tiffany's: José Carreras and Lisa WerlinderBassist Fernando Huergo Spins Brazilian Jazz-Fusion
Op-Ed: Starbucks Entertains Office Orphans with Coffee and Music
The Moomin fairy-tale presents a safe world for children
Brazil vs. Argentina battling as Major vs. Minor
Hollywood Actress and Dancer Taina Elg Celebrates 80th Birthday
Printer-Friendly pages added for all records and artists
Jazz musician Miguel Zenon's achievements push regular boundaries
Social Networks Permanently Removed From User Availability
Eeppi Ursin prints her creative output on all opportunities
Singer-songwriter Akiko Pavolka manifests heartfelt globalism
Charlie Parker and Bud Powell: Birdland
Rashied Ali Expands Jazz to Eternal Free Space
Keyboardist Joe Zawinul's Syndicate grooves on live discovery
Scandinavian genius Toivo Kärki mirrors Weather Report
Brazilian singer Luciana Souza Spans and Blends South and North American Music
Op-Ed: Billboard perpetuates a hysterical analysis of the music scene
Edwin Fischer cuts the modern temperament in Johann Sebastian Bach
Johanna Grüssner Running An Important Mission With Singing
Jazz Artist Jack DeJohnette Pitches The Full Range of Drums
Jazz Musician Drew Gress Sweeps Central Europe With His Bass
Austrian New Yorker Maria Neckam Sings With Full Swing
Jazz Bassist Massimo Biolcati tours with Lionel Loueke Trio
Op-Ed: Der Spiegel Fails To Deliver On Jazz Education
Jazz Saxophonists Greg Osby and Steve Wilson to perform at Village Vanguard
Studio To Sell Used Steinway Grand Piano
Tango Republic Plays Finnish and Argentinian Music in New York City
Jazz Drummer Terry Clarke nominated for Canadian JUNO Award
Op-Ed: Piano playing soon becoming a commodity for professional pianists only
Actress Lisa Werlinder Sings Free From Parts
Igor Stravinsky Rite of Spring 2013 Egg Prototype Revealed
Milt Jackson, Ray Brown and Stanley Turrentine exhibit Real Jazz
Swedish Traditional Songs Portray the Quintessential Music About Summer and Love
Op-Ed: Pianists and piano music lack sound variety due to long-time branding
Latin Jazz Flutist Yulia Musayelyan Debuts with Intercontinental Sounds
Italian quality images displayed in a true Intra-European 17-piece gallery
The Grupo Nuevo Latin Jazz Group Spans Transatlantic Tango Commonalities
Swedish Top Actress Lisa Werlinder Makes New York and Jazz Her Second Home
Tove Jansson's Moomin Music turns into a popular hit in Japan
Jazz Trio Album "Ball Play" runs twisted wraps by Pohjola, Drew Gress and Mark Ferber
Jazz on Strings: Judith Insell and Joe Fonda Proclaim Spirited Improvisation
Record Label Announces Final Grand Piano Sale in New York City
Brazilian Musician Fernando Brandão signs to Blue Music Group
Austrian Maria Neckam Crosses and Blends as a New Jazz Voice
Solo Pianist Highlights the New York Jazz Scene
Composer and Vocalist Eeppi Ursin from Finland sparkles on Violet
Complete Organ Works by César Franck by Torvald Torén
Two remarkable jazz fusion CDs by Pohjola with Miguel Zenón and Ben Monder
The Stravinsky Rite of Spring Scandal to be Celebrated with Centennial Eggs
Argentinian bassist Fernando Huergo advances Latin jazz on new record label
Flutist Yulia Musayelyan leads Armenian representation on the international jazz scene
Drummer Rashied Ali Reconfigures Music by John Coltrane
Private Archives Broaden the Legacy of Jazz Pianist Bud Powell
English Breakfast Bridges Pohjola on British Jazz Festival Scene.
Argentinian Jazz by Julio Santillan and Marta Gomez at New York's Blue Note Club
Jazz musician Amina Claudine Myers signs to Blue Music Group
It's About Time for Drummer Terry Clarke
Broadway Songs Interpreted for New Audiences
Traditional Viking Sagas in a Musical Exhibition
Ben Monder & Bill McHenry: Bloom
Hiding Solo Jazz Pianist Revealed on Dedicated Excavations
Finland longs for happier songs. An identity crisis?
Scandinavian Christmas Tradition extended to Germany and America
Save your holidays with better Christmas carols
Das Wörterbuch Limited Dictionary
Op-Ed: Climate Issues Talks for Change in Music Production
Keith Jarrett: Standards in Sweden I & II - An Unmatched Trio Release
