We have had a couple of super threads going about the men and ladies of soul which got me thinking about other things we could look at. I like some bits of jazz but never find the right stuff to listen too so lets have your choice of vocal jazz with youtube links.
I will try to make a Spotify list out of the selections posted here but may not be able to find all the tracks.
Cheers – Joe
Here’s a couple of good songs…..sung by unique voices…..
Vocal jazz I can do without, especially all the vile scat singing by the likes of Cleo Laine. But Chet ain’t a good jazz singer, he is just a great singer, full stop. Good jazz trumpeter as well, very good. Likewise Ella ain’t a jazz singer, she is just a great singer.
Most of the others have already been included in the other threads, such as Cassandra Wilson and Lizz Wright.
Where would Frank Sinatra tip his hat? Jazz or, gulp, easy listening. He was quite good.
Here is a contemporary jazz singer, Gregory Porter
As a rule I really don’t like jazz vocals but Gregory Porter is an exception.
Here’s a couple of prime examples.
A modern British jazz singer who has already been praised her on the AW.
Chet Baker is THE man, jazz vocalese.
But this fellas OKhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTXr-dYpfl8
Chet Baker is THE man, jazz vocalese.
But this fellas OK
Helen Merrill – You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To
This is the track that came to mind first – Les Double Six was a Paris-based vocal jazz group from the early Sixties (progenitors of the Swingle Singers) who, when they were hitting on all cylinders, were capable of something sublime. Like this.
Eddie Jefferson with saxophonist Richie Cole performing what is certainly one of my top 5 all time songs.
New York Afternoon
Cassandra Wilson (mentioned on the Soul thread) – Run The Voodoo Down
Time for a spot of Blossom Dearie, with that wonderful Dave Frishberg song..
Good one. I mistrust anyone who is unmoved by Blossom Dearie.
This famous film of Billie Holiday has Lester Young, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins and many other absolute greats of Jazz. Probably the greatest assembly of legends on film.
That’s a tremendous clip.
Here’s another great assembly of jazz legends on film: http://youtu.be/SvvjIuAdGqw
And here’s a great singer who skips around the edges of jazz (on this occasion with added Steve Miller): http://youtu.be/LRL-5bp10Js
It’s an amazing photo. Just imagine trying to get them all up early enough for the shoot!
Melody Gardot – La Vie En Rose
A wonderful live artist! The sultry sounds of Stacey Kent.
I could not forgive myself if I did not include a track by the immortal Monica Zetterlund.
http://youtu.be/rRleR-e8_t8
Seeing as nobody else has I will…
Was just going to put this on, if not just for the vocals. for the hat and gloves.
Beautiful voice, PS – so effortless and playful.
I’m now listening to her other tracks on YouTube – thanks for posting this.
We could easily do a whole thread on Scandinavian jazz singers. Here’s one of them, Viktoria Tolstoy.
Is it jazz or just extremely classy pop? The lass knows how to deliver a song anyway.
Tis true Sal. A lovely voice. Wonderful harmonies. Only one album recorded to date. She deserves to break through in my eva so ‘umble. Delighted you ‘re enjoying.
No Tony Bennett yet?
Just read he’s coming to the Copenhagen Jazz Festival with Lady Gaga this summer. What a trouper!
From the best album of 2014, Melanie De Biasio, I’m Gonna Leave You
The beautiful voice of the late, great Terry Callier. Much missed!
Ok then! One more from him. This time with Beth Orton.
Lots more work for Joe. But it’s going to be well worth it. Just been enjoying the Women of Soul playlist this morning. Thanks BJ!
The great thing ith a thread like this is that one starts to rummage through the memory banks and discovers all sorts.
Like this talented lady
And vocal virtuoso Al Jarreau.
Mrs Costello?
Hmm, sometimes.
a newish discovery for me……http://youtu.be/mcDt467txRw
All this way and no Nat?
Nat King Cole – Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good To You?
My father-in-law rates this guy, Kurt Elling, who I think Jamie Callum must have been taking notes from
Here’s his version of Norwegian Wood which goes off in a wholly unexpected direction after about 2 and half minutes
That same record features his take on Steppin’ Out – superb. Also love his Brill Building album and he has a great ear for an arrangement.
Nice to run into you Mr Bisto. It’s been a very long time!
I saw Mrs Costello in a small jazz club just before she really started to break. She can certainly cut it live with a trio.
And you too. Still getting into the swing of things around here but it’s nice just to know this place is back. It is a real place, not a virtual one, thanks to all the people who give of themselves because they can.
Going a bit further back in time, the incomparable Louis Jordan.
Time for some slinky, sophisticated Norwegians!
Silje Nergaard
Solveig Slettahjell
And lastly the late, great Radka Toneff
I posted this earlier but it seems to have disappeared. Anyway a few suggestions that could also fit in the soul threads.
Mario Biondi
Marlena Shaw’s vocal version of the Joe Zawinul classic
Gil Scott Heron – Gun
Joyce featuring Jon Lucien – Taxi Driver
@alias Sorry about that anything with 4 or more links automatically gets held in case it’s spam. I’ve upped the limit to 5.
I’ve got one that goes up to 11.
Especially for Hannah, Julie London – S’Wonderful
It was a jazzman, Stan Getz, who helped bring Bossa Nova to the attention of the world. Cue for a song!
Just stumbled across this article about Danish female jazz singers.
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/danish-divas-mona-larsen-malene-mortensen-katrine-madsen-by-jakob-baekgaard.php
Here’s one of them. Attractive lass!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yU4qmTmYxiQ
Katrine Madsen now: doing Duke Ellington proud.
Cassandra Wilson…..I know she was mentioned previously, but I have to share this gig from the Lincoln Center where she celebrates the 20th anniversary of her album “Blue Light ’til Dawn.” as a bonus the Campbell Brothers open the show with their take of ‘A Love Supreme”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmQglPPx6HE
I’m really looking forward to the playlist from this thread. If you need any help,Joe, just say the word. No hurry though! As the Swedes say: you can’t wait too long for something good.
That’s three cracking music threads in one week. This site is alive and kicking!
If this girl just sang the telephone directory, I’d listen. sublime.
OK peeps we now have our Spotify list created. It is a collaborative list so please feel free to add any others you find
Here are my additions:
Georgie Fame – Parchman Farm
Not a lot of vocals in this but great jazz
Candy Dulfer – Saxuality
Brian Kennedy – New York
Van Morrison – Moondance
Big “Manc jazz” record from years ago – Gregory Hines in fine voice.
Susannne Abbuehl – three dead slow and stop ECM albums – just lovely.
And I know Lizz Wright has been getting plaudits on “soul women” section – love her jazzier side n’all.