My opinion on why a lot of "jazz" singers fail...

[AudioDoctor]

In my opinion Jazz needs to be played, sang, or performed with some sass, attitude, and an edge for it to be any good. So many of the performers today are playing music that sounds like they ran it through a machine to get rid of any attitude or offensive bits entirely. Soft Jazz, sucks.

 

As an example, I just tried listening to this and gave up after fast forwarding after half the first song, giving the second song a chance, and a few seconds of the 3rd song. She sounds like she has potential if someone told her the secret to singing Jazz.

 

Edit: When Stacey Kent has more edge and sass than you do, you have a problem.

[AudioDoctor]

5 hours ago, JoeWhip said:

The original spelling of jazz was jass. One guess as to why it was changed. Btw, Stacey Kent is awesome. Have seen her live 6 times or so.

 

I agree, she is. She is, IMO, the only singer that can get away with her softer style.

[AudioDoctor]

21 minutes ago, JoeWhip said:

She is a real sweatheart too. Her husband Jim Tomlinson is a wonderful player. I have had a few great conversations with him at the bar. Good people.

 

I believe you too, her sweetness comes through in her singing, It's authentic. Which is why I think she can get away with a softer edge than some other singers.

 

edit: much like Kat Edmonson who I have met, and is also a sweetheart.

[AudioDoctor]

8 minutes ago, DuckToller said:

ECB -imho- sounds like the perfect antagonism to Nina Simone.

Nevertheless, she is a fine example of a self-empowered, white, female musician & singer, who controls every aspect in her line of business.

Her "Live in Tokyo" recording has a pristine sq in my opinion, however I have for long asked myself why I couldn't connect to anything else than the Nancy Sinatra cover .. and why the "are you ready boots" line always feels like she is asking for their spotlesness ...

Here is an interesting piece on her

https://artsfile.ca/the-business-of-being-emilie-claire-barlow/

 

You're right, the perfect antagonist to Nina Simone is a good description. I am sure she is a good person, business woman, empowered female, etc... I just can't like her music.

[AudioDoctor]

8 hours ago, JoeWhip said:

One of the joys of traveling as much as we have internationally over the past 20 years is discovering local jazz artists that are not really known outside their country. One is Zoe Francis who I had the pleasure of seeing at the 606 Club in West London. One of the dates she has played there has been released on CD and is available on Qobuz. Check it out when you have the chance. I am trying to snag the CD release of her Blossum Dearie tribute album. 
 

 

Listening now.

[AudioDoctor]

7 minutes ago, JoeWhip said:

Been awhile since I have seen her live. I have seen her in small and larger venues about 10 times over the years. The first time was before she was famous at the late great Zanzibar Blue in Philly, back when Russell Malone and Ben Wolfe we’re in her band. It usually takes a couple of songs before she opens up and gets in a groove. She always plays killer piano. I can tell you from speaking with some of her regular band mates over the years that they all have great respect for her as a pianist. Don’t tell other audiophiles though as I don’t want my membership card pulled.

 

I have also seen her live and that is a reason I like her. Seeing her live is what made me a fan.

[AudioDoctor]

And I've had a crush on her ever since...

 

Now to get rid of Elvis and the restraining order...

[AudioDoctor]

36 minutes ago, kumakuma said:

She's got a new album out in late Sept.

 

https://dianakrall.lnk.to/thisdreamofyouWE

 

Nice! I can already preorder a hi res download on Qobuz! I wish Morgan James would make her latest album available on Qobuz as well. Right now it is an MP3 download from Amazon, or wait for a CD which will be a long wait because the distribution of them is delayed due to the pandemic.

[AudioDoctor]

12 hours ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

She's not difficult to have a crush on !

 

Ha, no she isn't!

[AudioDoctor]

4 hours ago, JoeWhip said:

I can tell you that is isn’t very talkative. You can see that in her shows and off stage as well. She stayed with a friend of my wife when she was appearing in DC many moons ago, which we didn’t find out about until many years later. Some good stories there I think, which I will have to save for my book.

 

Are you referring to Diana Krall?

[AudioDoctor]

Just FYI, one song from Diana Kralls upcoming album is streaming on Qobuz right now in 24/44. It is an inventive arrangement of How Deep Is The Ocean.