CDA: Cassandra Wilson
I read in the NY Times about the death of Cassandra Wilson (age 70). I automatically classify her as a "jazz singer" but her obit said she called herself a "musician." I fully support that!
I'm actually not too familiar with her but know that she was a major figure in the 80s and 90s, she forged her own path and expanded the boundaries of what could be sung in a jazz context. My best friend Karen told me about her recording of "Last Train to Clarksville." Who'd believe that a song by The (freaking) Monkees could have such impact? The Times obit said her recording brought out the Vietnam setting of the song more than the original:
I only have one Wilson song in my personal collection - - "Painted From Memory," from a Bill Frisell album of arrangements of the songs from the Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello album. What a haunting voice, so much more expressive than Elvis's singing on the original:
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