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CD Review: World ladies sing the blues, show tunes, more
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Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, CD Review: World ladies sing the blues, show tunes, more >>
Around the world we searched for music and found some cool CDs by several female artists who speak the languages of love and other concerns ...
Asha Bhosle, Love Supreme, Times Square Records. Last year the amazing Asha Bhosle, the voice that launched a thousand Bollywood films, soared on a collaboration with Kronos Quartet on You’ve Stolen My Heart: R.D. Burman’s Bollywood, saluting the film scores of her late husband. For 50 years, the 72-year-old Bhosle has been the singing voice of many an Indian actress. This two-disc Hindi language CD has interpretations of newlyrecorded ghazals — romantic music created from Urdu and Persian poetry. The second CD soars with eight songs of Bhosle’s favorite film duets. On the first, the music doesn’t always measure up to her, but Bhosle’s voice is supple, sexy, expressive and unforgettable. B+
Julia Sarr and Patrice Larose, Set Luna, Sunnyside/ No Format. This fascinating collaboration between Senegal vocalist Julia Sarr and Spanish/French guitarist Patrice Larose is a graceful recording that soaks into the listener. In Sarr’s voice one can hear her Senegal roots, but also the influences of American R&B and jazz. Larose’s fluid acoustic guitar work is rich, propulsive and melodic. Together, they are spellbinding as they travel through music that also is flavored with bossa nova, jazz, French chanson and flamenco. Senegal’s world music superstar Youssou N’Dour joins on the title track, which means “So I’ve Observed” in the Wolof language. A
Mary Jane Lamond, Storas, Turtlemusik. This Scottish Gaelic singer from Cape Breton Island, Canada, has created an album of stunning beauty that is traditional, yet striking, in its contemporary approach to songs and music that seem imbued with the voices of her ancestors. Cape Breton, according to Lamond’s label, is the only area outside Scotland where Scottish Gaelic is spoken. And these songs, sung in that language, have an undeniable soulfulness and, sometimes, an undercurrent of melancholy. While traditionally sung without music, Lamond brings these songs to modern day with rich instrumentation and a heartfelt voice. From ballads to lively dance tunes, Storas (treasures) is charming throughout. Songs are explained in English in the booklet. B+
Souad Massi, Honeysuckle, Wrasse. Born in Algeria and based in Paris, Souad Massi’s alluring music deftly blends several African traditions (including Cape Verde mornas and Egyptian-style orchestration), hints of American folk and splashes of flamenco. These often haunting songs have something of a gentle swing, sometimes a gypsy flavor and irresistible melodies. Massi is a star in France and it’s understandable. At times, you can hear echoes of the French chanson tradition in her serene, expressive voice, which is imbued with sweetness, melancholy and resignation. At the CD’s end, a rhythmic, driving remix of “Mahli” sizzles. In Arabic, French and some English. A
Badi Assad, Verde, Edge. Perhaps the only thing more striking than Badi Assad’s superb guitar playing is her voice. The Brazilian native embraces the diversity of Brazilian music while pulling in other material (a meditative take on U2’s “One” and a sparkling version of Bjork’s “Bachelorette”). Assad is full of surprises — just when you think you’ve got her figured out, she tosses off yet another direction. Whether singing sensual Brazilian bossa nova or with flamenco drama or whatever strikes her fancy, Assad embraces musical diversity with passion, delight and talent. And it all rings true. In Portuguese and English. B+
Gabriela Anders, Last Tango In Rio, Narada. If you’ve missed this one as I nearly did, seek it out. The title is a good clue to what’s inside — Brazil meets Argentina, tango and bossa nova, sultry and sexy, American standards and Anders originals. The Argentine sings pop standards (all in English) with accents of South American instrumental twists (bandoneon, for example). It’s fresh, intriguing and irresistible. Standards such as “You Go To My Head,” “Our Love Is Here to Stay” and “All of Me” sit comfortably with her originals, such as “Abracadabra” and “Embrace Me.” An imaginative recasting of Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child” works. B+
By: ELLIS WIDNER 04/09/06
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