CASSANDRA WILSON

Loverly

2008-11-09

America's most daring and versatile jazz singer goes back to where she started, with interpretations of some of the genre's best-known standards -- and, of course, she knocks them out of the park (e.g. "Lover Come Back to Me" and "Caravan"). But because she goes where others fear to tread, Wilson also includes "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" from "My Fair Lady" and makes it her own, and plunks two blues classics right in the middle of the set ("St. James Infirmary" and "Dust My Broom"). Uh huh, they are way good. Guitarist Marvin Sewell's funky opening on "St. James" sets the table for Cassandra's vocals and James Moran's end-to-end piano work. Fabulous. Check out Sewell's effort on "Dust My Broom," too. The entire set was recorded in a rented house in Jackson, Mississippi, and has the feel of a band working out their favorites. I'm glad they shared them with us. 11/09/08 Michael J.

Quick Links:

• Cassandra's homepage
• Cassandra talks about the record on youtube