ANITA WARDELL
Now firmly established as one of the UK's finest vocalists, Anita Wardell has just released her latest album, The Road, on the Specific Jazz label (see September's CD Reviews).
With the new album comes a departure from previous releases and finds the singer exploring new territory.
It therefore seems an ideal time to ask Anita about some of her all time favourite albums.
About her Top Ten recordings, Anita says:
With the new album comes a departure from previous releases and finds the singer exploring new territory.
It therefore seems an ideal time to ask Anita about some of her all time favourite albums.
About her Top Ten recordings, Anita says:
LAMBERT, HENDRICKS & ROSS - Sing Duke Ellington
The first Vocalese album I ever heard- sheer Joy and amazement! The idea of putting words to a solo was a revelation to me- I heard this album in 1982 whilst studying at Uni in Adelaide, Australia. A drummer friend of mine gave me a copy on cassette. I played it over and over again on my first Sony Walkman until it stopped working! I was transfixed! I know this album back to front. I transcribed and learnt all the solos and backing riffs, instrumental and vocal. It encouraged me to source all the original Duke Ellington recordings of the tunes- Amazing! I now have it on CD and it's still at the top of my playlist and I never tire of listening to it. Great Album.
BILLIE HOLIDAY- Lady in Satin
This album ripped my heart out, put it back and ripped it out again- Billie knew how to get to the depths of your soul. On this record, her voice cuts like a knife. Her phrasing is unique, she changes the whole
meaning of a sentence by using dynamics, pulling the time around and
stressing and colouring particular words. I love the arrangements and choice of songs. This album taught me to sing from the heart and not gratuitously embellish and try to be clever- but more - be honest!
CARMEN McCRAE - Live at Ronnie Scotts
Another album that when I first heard it, (on cassette)- I played over and over again until the tape got all tangled up and died- I missed
it like mad because I couldn't get it again (no such thing as the internet in those days!) Anyway, on a trip to Europe in the early 90's I found it on CD and was so excited. Carmen's fearlessness is what I love about this album. She lays it down and the whole CD swings like crazy. My favourite track is "I'm gonna lock my heart" it's dirty, swinging, convincing and exciting. Her phrasing with the bass player and how they displace the rhythm so much is an absolute work of art. This is an album that I transcribed and know every song- I still listen and practice with it to this day. Amazing!
CHET BAKER - Chet Baker Sings- It Could Happen To You
I heard this in the early 90's, uncomplicated scat syllables, fantastic musical lines, both scat and trumpet-He picks the hippest notes and has a voice full of soul and character. I love the choice of material- I have learnt all the solos on this album- it is so lyrical and musical and above all swinging.
The first Vocalese album I ever heard- sheer Joy and amazement! The idea of putting words to a solo was a revelation to me- I heard this album in 1982 whilst studying at Uni in Adelaide, Australia. A drummer friend of mine gave me a copy on cassette. I played it over and over again on my first Sony Walkman until it stopped working! I was transfixed! I know this album back to front. I transcribed and learnt all the solos and backing riffs, instrumental and vocal. It encouraged me to source all the original Duke Ellington recordings of the tunes- Amazing! I now have it on CD and it's still at the top of my playlist and I never tire of listening to it. Great Album.
BILLIE HOLIDAY- Lady in Satin
This album ripped my heart out, put it back and ripped it out again- Billie knew how to get to the depths of your soul. On this record, her voice cuts like a knife. Her phrasing is unique, she changes the whole
meaning of a sentence by using dynamics, pulling the time around and
stressing and colouring particular words. I love the arrangements and choice of songs. This album taught me to sing from the heart and not gratuitously embellish and try to be clever- but more - be honest!
CARMEN McCRAE - Live at Ronnie Scotts
Another album that when I first heard it, (on cassette)- I played over and over again until the tape got all tangled up and died- I missed
it like mad because I couldn't get it again (no such thing as the internet in those days!) Anyway, on a trip to Europe in the early 90's I found it on CD and was so excited. Carmen's fearlessness is what I love about this album. She lays it down and the whole CD swings like crazy. My favourite track is "I'm gonna lock my heart" it's dirty, swinging, convincing and exciting. Her phrasing with the bass player and how they displace the rhythm so much is an absolute work of art. This is an album that I transcribed and know every song- I still listen and practice with it to this day. Amazing!
CHET BAKER - Chet Baker Sings- It Could Happen To You
I heard this in the early 90's, uncomplicated scat syllables, fantastic musical lines, both scat and trumpet-He picks the hippest notes and has a voice full of soul and character. I love the choice of material- I have learnt all the solos on this album- it is so lyrical and musical and above all swinging.
NORMA WINSTONE - Edge of Time
This was given to me on cassette in 1983 by a saxophonist friend of mine when I really started getting into improvising. I absolutely fell in love with it. I loved the arrangements, this sounded so contemporary and exciting. I loved the sound of Norma's voice - the way she caresses the notes on ballads, her thought provoking phrasing and
and her instrumental approach. The songs were all all originals and I loved how the voice created another texture - Norma's improvising blew me away on this record- the freedom she has, soaring from one phrase to another all making complete musical sense. I have learnt so much about singing and improvising from this album. Still listen to it
loads.
DEXTER GORDON - Go
What a sound, what a groove- all Dexter's horn lines are so singable and musical. I aspire to play this way. His phrasing of the heads is wonderfully rhythmic and the embellishments all so musical. I practice along to this album a lot. It's so joyful and musically hip.
MILES DAVIS- The Complete Concert: My Funny Valentine/Four and More
Although I had heard this CD back in the late 80's, I really started getting into it more in 1991 - I listened to it all the time. I really love the imaginative arrangements. I have learnt so much listening to this record- how the rhythm
section interacts, the introspective and lyrical playing of Miles is a lesson in taste. The way the whole band connects, stretches out and builds each tune is an example of high calibre playing. Passionate, swinging and really interesting solos. Love this!
This was given to me on cassette in 1983 by a saxophonist friend of mine when I really started getting into improvising. I absolutely fell in love with it. I loved the arrangements, this sounded so contemporary and exciting. I loved the sound of Norma's voice - the way she caresses the notes on ballads, her thought provoking phrasing and
and her instrumental approach. The songs were all all originals and I loved how the voice created another texture - Norma's improvising blew me away on this record- the freedom she has, soaring from one phrase to another all making complete musical sense. I have learnt so much about singing and improvising from this album. Still listen to it
loads.
DEXTER GORDON - Go
What a sound, what a groove- all Dexter's horn lines are so singable and musical. I aspire to play this way. His phrasing of the heads is wonderfully rhythmic and the embellishments all so musical. I practice along to this album a lot. It's so joyful and musically hip.
MILES DAVIS- The Complete Concert: My Funny Valentine/Four and More
Although I had heard this CD back in the late 80's, I really started getting into it more in 1991 - I listened to it all the time. I really love the imaginative arrangements. I have learnt so much listening to this record- how the rhythm
section interacts, the introspective and lyrical playing of Miles is a lesson in taste. The way the whole band connects, stretches out and builds each tune is an example of high calibre playing. Passionate, swinging and really interesting solos. Love this!
CHARLIE PARKER - The Complete Savoy Recordings
Beboptastic! I have always been a massive Parker fan and these albums are some my favourite ever recordings. I especially enjoy listening to the alternate takes and false starts. Charlie Parkers clean as a whistle phrasing and flawless lines have inspired me so much- I sing along with his solos when practicing. I love the high energy and immaculate focus of his solos- I'm still working on the his amazing break on "A Night in Tunisa" - a work of art!
OSCAR PETERSON- We Get Requests
This is sublime , a real lesson in Team work playing. All grooving, swinging and musical and the use of dynamics is incredible.- The trio are totally locked in to each other’s groove/feel and the fact that they are totally connected enjoy playing together comes across in each tune. That's Art!. I love this record.
CHARLIE VENTURA- The Pasadena Concert -Bop For The People 1949
Another cassette given to me by a Drummer friend- Jimmy Shaw in the early 80's was this amazing "Pasadena concert in 1949- Bop for the people", featuring, Roy Kral Jackie Cain, Conte Condoli, Ed Shaugnessy, Boots Mussulli, Benny Green, Kenny O'Brien and Charlie
Ventura. From the get go, it's full of passion, excitement and fun. Jackie Cain and Roy Kral, two of my favourite bebop singers are featured on a lot of the tunes, singing their hip bebop scat syllables to some amazing tunes, "Euphoria"( "S'wonderfu"l), "East of Suez", and "I'm forever blowing bubbles"! Swinging, musical and some incredible solos! One of my all
time faves
Beboptastic! I have always been a massive Parker fan and these albums are some my favourite ever recordings. I especially enjoy listening to the alternate takes and false starts. Charlie Parkers clean as a whistle phrasing and flawless lines have inspired me so much- I sing along with his solos when practicing. I love the high energy and immaculate focus of his solos- I'm still working on the his amazing break on "A Night in Tunisa" - a work of art!
OSCAR PETERSON- We Get Requests
This is sublime , a real lesson in Team work playing. All grooving, swinging and musical and the use of dynamics is incredible.- The trio are totally locked in to each other’s groove/feel and the fact that they are totally connected enjoy playing together comes across in each tune. That's Art!. I love this record.
CHARLIE VENTURA- The Pasadena Concert -Bop For The People 1949
Another cassette given to me by a Drummer friend- Jimmy Shaw in the early 80's was this amazing "Pasadena concert in 1949- Bop for the people", featuring, Roy Kral Jackie Cain, Conte Condoli, Ed Shaugnessy, Boots Mussulli, Benny Green, Kenny O'Brien and Charlie
Ventura. From the get go, it's full of passion, excitement and fun. Jackie Cain and Roy Kral, two of my favourite bebop singers are featured on a lot of the tunes, singing their hip bebop scat syllables to some amazing tunes, "Euphoria"( "S'wonderfu"l), "East of Suez", and "I'm forever blowing bubbles"! Swinging, musical and some incredible solos! One of my all
time faves
Anita Wardell's new album,
The Road, is released on Specific
Jazz.
For more information about Anita and to purchase a copy of visit Anita's website at www.anitawardell.com.
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