To
call diva Nancy Wilson a legend would certainly be an
understatement. Nancy Wilson is the incorporation of vocal jazz. She
has recorded and performed with Cannonball Adderley, George Shearing,
Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Hank Jones,
Ramsey Lewis and many more. Beside this she recorded innumerous Pop and
R&B albums.
In the
late 1990's Nancy made a contract with MCG Jazz, a social enterprise supporting the youth
education programs of the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, a nonprofit,
minority-directed, arts and learning organization located in Pittsburgh,
PA. She released "A Nancy Wilson Christmas" (2001) and
"R.S.V.P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal)" (2004). The upcoming
album "Turned To Blue" is the third release at this label.
After a five decade career in entertainment this album is a collection
of songs presenting the struggle of human nature with love's power. A
theme which is often interpreted by female singers but this album is
very special. On every track Nancy Wilson features one soloist giving
each song its own character.
First
song of the album is This Is All I Ask
composed by Gordon Jenkins, a composer, arranger and conductor from
the 30's to 60's. The song was covered by Frank Sinatra, Oscar
Peterson, Nat King Cole, Perry Como, Tony Bennett, George Benson and
many celebrities more. Together with tenor sax player Bob Mintzer
Nancy creates her version in a classic way with a decent Bossa swing.
Take Love
Easy is a Duke Ellington Big
Band classic from 1947 interpreted by Nancy in accordance with the
original. Who loves this song should also listen to Ella Fitzgeralds'
version with Joe Pass.
My
Life Has Turned To Blue is a poem by Dr. Maya Angelou, one of the
great voices of contemporary literature. Turned
To Blue is the musical
transformation and somehow Nancy's summary of her own life. “As a
singer who chooses to sing only those songs that speak to me, that
resonate with my life and feelings, it is pure joy to be able to sing
the words of my long time friend, Maya Angelou,” Wilson says.
Australian
born pianist and composer Bryce Rohde
composed Knitting Class
(lyrics by K. Lawrence Dunham),
the story of a forlorn Woman. This song features tenor sax player Jimmy
Heath. A magnificent musician with a long history.
Be My Love
originally sung by Kathryn Grayson and Mario Lanza was a big hit and a song in the
musical movie "The Toast Of New Orleans" produced by Joe
Pasternak (1950). Nancy Wilson's version is featuring the legendary Hubert Laws on flute.
Taking A
Chance On Love is a
wonderful Big Band tune composed by Vernon Duke and Ted Fetter. James
Moody on tenor sax is the star of this fabulous cover version. James
Moody is foremost known by his cooperation with Dizzy Gillespie. When
Nancy swings along the Big Band one can state: "Time
will never goes by."
Just Once
is of a contrary caliber. A more intimate song featuring John Clayton
on acoustic bass and Dave Samuels on vibraphone. John Clayton has a
bodily relationship to his instrument. "It's the vibrations of
the bass that just feel so good. I'll often have my students stand
next to me, behind the bass, and just let their leg or stomach touch
the bass while I play it. I look at them and tell them, 'That's why I
play the bass!'". Add the vibe of Dave Samuels and Nancy's vocal
vibrations and you get that heavenly song which is reaching directly
the heart of listener.
These Golden
Years is featuring Tom
Scott. He is a multi-colored musician performing many styles from
Bebop to Hip Hop. On this slow tune with much melancholy he showcases
his jazzy side.
Artie Butler wrote
I Don't Remember Ever Growing Up
especially for Nancy Wilson.
Artie is the composer of Louis Armstrong's "What A
Wonderful World" or Barry Manilow's "Copacabana"
to give you an image of his spectrum as a composer. Andy Narell on steel
pans mesmerizes this song with a special mood.
With
Old Folks we
return into the Elysian Fields of Big Band. This is a classic by
Willard Robison already performed by Oscar Peterson, Jimmy Smith,
Miles Davis and hundreds more. Nancy 's interpretation sounds like a
true revival of the original. Andy Snitzer on sax is the featured
artist.
I'll Be Seeing You
is Nancy's Parisian ballade
featuring Dr. Billy
Taylor on piano.
With Turned
To Blue Nancy Wislon opens
again a window into old time. Her smooth vocals set the standard for
jazz singers of all generations.
