#OnRepeat – Page 6

#OnRepeat: Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason”

March 11, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason” #OnRepeat. Chapman’s voice was one of the first deep female voices I heard, helping me to gain more confidence and acceptance of my own deep voice, so when I came across a quote by her this week on social media, I decided to revisit her music.

Tracy Chapman is a singer-songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio, who began playing guitar and writing songs by the age of eight. Her music blends influences of Folk, Blues, Rock, Pop, and Soul music. She gained much attention with her first album, Tracy Chapman, in 1988, and has been performing ever since, frequently performing in events supporting socio-political issues. Some of her most well-known songs are “Fast Car,” “Baby Can I Hold You,” “Crossroads,” and “Telling Stories.”

Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason” has heavy influences of Blues, especially in the structure of the lyrics (lines are repeated in the verses and the chorus). The song lyrics are written from the point of view of a fed-up partner who is asking their significant other to tell them why they should stay. Although Chapman doesn’t use any vocal licks or melismas, it really isn’t needed. It’s in what Chapman doesn’t sing or play that you notice the true level of her musical taste. Although some would argue that the song is a “cheesy 90s song” because of its simplistic nature, I think that it is in the simplicity where Chapman’s talent shines.

Take a listen below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvCrobkip74

Do you have any singers or groups that you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, A cappella, Jazz, Music

#OnRepeat: Lizz Wright’s “Nature Boy”

March 3, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Lizz Wright’s “Nature Boy” #OnRepeat. This song is actually one of the first Jazz standards I ever sang, and I have always loved revisiting this version whenever I try to find new ways to interpret this song. I believe that trying to find different approaches to performing the same song helps you to develop your creative skills and helps you to progress as a musician; so listening to different musicians’ versions of a standard aids in this discovery. Lizz Wright is a beast of a singer, so she is probably one of the best musical resources to tap for this process.

The song, “Nature Boy,” was first recorded by Nat King Cole and was released in 1948. The song was originally written by eden ahbez, a songwriter who lived a vagabond lifestyle that would later inspire the hippie movement of the 1960s. The lyrics in the song supposedly depict the songwriter’s demeanor and lifestyle, with hints of haplessness, mysticism, and wisdom. The lyrics and music give you the impression that ahbez has experienced great loss or pain, and through this had discovered a common, universal truth.

Lizz Wright, who is a Jazz and Gospel singer, captures the eclectic nature of this song perfectly. She takes the melody and rhythm, manipulating both so much that you would have a heard time identifying the original song within her new arrangement (she has completely made the song her own). Her ability to take rhythmic and melodic risks (using or picking notes or melodic phrases that your ear wouldn’t associate with the original tonality of the song) and the confidence she has when taking these risks make her interpretation of “Nature Boy” incredibly unique and poignant.

Take a listen below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ku6fS3qPM0

Is there a singer or group that you can’t stop listening to? Let us know in the comments below!

#OnRepeat, Latin Music, Music

#OnRepeat: Selena’s “I Could Fall in Love”

February 25, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Selena’s “I Could Fall in Love.” I grew up listening to Selena, dancing and singing along to all of her songs as a little girl, but recently revisited this song because of the resurgence online of Solange Knowles’ cover of this iconic song featured during her 2013 tour.

Selena Quintanilla was a Mexican-American singer, songwriter, actress, and fashion designer. Her fashion choices, music, and performance style earned her the title the “Queen of Tejano Music,” and even earned her a Grammy in 1994. Some of her most memorable songs are “Dreaming of You,” “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,”and “Como La Flor.”

“I Could Fall in Love” is one of Selena’s songs that would have made her a cross-over star, had her life not been ended abruptly. Her high vocal range and bright tone made her a success in the Tejano/ Cumbia style of music she was known for performing, but also translated well into the R&B and Pop music she was starting to create. The song talks about a person being so infatuated with another that they feel as though they could fall in love with the person; though they feel it may be best for the other person to walk away before their love becomes too intense. Although Solange’s version is intimate and vulnerable at times, it lacks the impact that the original version has. Selena’s powerful voice and performance style perfectly captures the agony and desperation the lyrics describe. Both versions can be viewed below for reference.

Take a listen:

Is there a certain version of a song performed by a singer that you like? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Latin Music, Music

#OnRepeat: Celia Cruz y La Sonora Matancera’s “Cao Cao, Mani Picao”

February 17, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Celia Cruz y La Sonora Matancera’s song ” Cao Cao, Mani Picao” #OnRepeat. Even though I’ve been listening to Celia’s music since before I can remember, I first heard this song specifically while watching the show, Celia, a Spanish-language mini-series based on the life of Cuban singer, Celia Cruz.

I’ve written about Celia Cruz before, but for those who still aren’t familiar with her, she is a singer from Cuba who was known for her powerful, wide-ranged voice. She became famous when she replaced the lead singer of Cuba’s conjunto, La Sonora Matancera. Her rhythmic, highly improvisational performance style led her to win several Grammys and record dozens of albums, becoming known internationally as the “Queen of Salsa.” Some of her most well-known songs are “La Negra Tiene Tumbao,””Bembe Colora,” “Quimbara,” and ” La Vida Es Un Carnaval.”

Although as a young girl, I grew up listening to Celia’s albums that she recorded with Fania and her albums right before her death, the music that she made with La Sonora Matancera truly impresses me. The musical arrangement for the band was simple, yet the way in which they and Celia performed each song while recording was so musically tasteful. The same can be said of this song, “Cao Cao, Mani Picao.” Celia’s delivery of the melody is funky (in a good way), and in some of her guias, she sounds similar to a horn player during a solo. Her powerful, piercing voice cuts through the band and she weaves in and out of the melody with ease. I’m not sure of what kind of music Celia was listening to, both consciously and unconsciously at the time, but the melodic phrases that she chooses to use throughout the song are similar to what you would hear in Jazz and Blues standards. It may just be what my own ear has grown accustomed to recognizing, but these notes and phrases make Celia’s and La Sonora Matancera’s performance truly unique from other bands, both in Latin music and other genres.

Take a listen below:

Do you know any singers or groups that you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Music

#OnRepeat: Adele’s “Chasing Pavements”

February 10, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Adele’s “Chasing Pavements” #OnRepeat. I’m late, know, I know, but sometimes I come across and rediscover music that other people have long forgotten. To be fair, though, this song really isn’t that old.

For those who still don’t know about her, Adele is a singer-songwriter from Tottenham, London, England. She rose to fame with her debut album, 19, and her following album, 21, gained her several awards, including several Grammys. Her music blends Soul, Blues, R&B, and Pop music, and her voice has stylistic elements of Janis Joplin, Etta James, Lauryn Hill, and Aretha Franklin. Some of her most well-known songs include “Skyfall,” “Rolling in the Deep,” “Hello,” and “Make You Feel My Love.”

The song, “Chasing Pavements,”is about someone who discovers that they’re in love with someone and having an overwhelming need to tell them, but wondering if they should even take the risk. Adele’s voice brings an air of melancholy and almost desperation to the song—which are feelings that sometimes occur when you realize you’re in love. Simultaneously, though, the way in which she slides up to notes and slips into her high voice portrays the dizzying, over-the-moon, and completely vulnerable state people are in when they become enamored with someone. This aspect of her performance technique makes her voice fit this song perfectly. I have always enjoyed Adele’s voice because of her ability to manipulate her vocal timbre, going from delicate and light-sounding, to heavy and gritty. This song exemplifies that unique quality in her voice; not to mention the lyrics and melody make the song too catchy to forget.

Take a listen below:

Is there a singer or group that you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Music

#OnRepeat: Luther Vandross

February 4, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Luther Vandross’ song, “Never Too Much” #OnRepeat. Lately, I’ve been taking a trip down a musical memory lane, listening to older albums of singers from my childhood like Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Brandy, and Mariah Carey, but this song by Mr. Vandross is at the top of that list.

Luther Vandross is a household name for 1980s and 1990s R&B and Pop music. For a good portion of his career, Vandross worked as a backup singer for performers like Chaka Khan, Janet Jackson, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Donna Summer, and David Bowie. He was then the lead singer of the group, Change, but left to start his solo singing career in 1981. Vandross’ vocal tenor range and his performance style led many to refer to him as “Velvet Voice” and many that I’ve heard in conversation group him in with the low, sultry sounds of Barry White in terms of charisma and musical taste. Some of his most well-known songs are “Endless Love,” “Here and Now,” and “Power of Love.”

“Never Too Much” is a song talking about a person who loves someone so much that they can never get enough of them. Luther Vandross’ vocal range and the way in which he utilizes it brings such an immense amount of joy and excitement to the song. The other aspect of Luther’s voice that I like is that even though his voice sits in the upper part of his range, you can still hear the low undertones of each note that he sings, indicative 0f his bright yet grounded sound. Combine this with the upbeat, playful melody and the Disco feel of the song, and you get an amazing earful of Luther, while dancing in your seat.

Take a listen below:

Are there any singers or groups that you can’t stop listening to? Don’t forget to leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Jazz, Music

#OnRepeat: Chet Baker’s “My Funny Valentine”

January 27, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Chet Baker’s version of “My Funny Valentine” #OnRepeat. I started listening to this song again after I had a conversation with a fellow musician about Chet’s musicality, and I just can’t get enough of his version of this song.

Chet Baker is a Jazz trumpeter, flugelhorn player, and vocalist from Yale, Oklahoma. He gained attention by performing with tenor saxophonist Stan Getz, Charlie Parker, and as a member of Gerry Mulligan’s Quartet. Chet Baker has been associated with West Coast Jazz, BeBop, and the Cool Jazz genres, and his versatility on his instrument, along with his unique vocal sound gained him a lot of recognition throughout his career. Some of his most well-known songs are “Chetty’s Lullaby,” “Il Mio Domani (My Tomorrow),” and “Anticipated Blues.” Had it not been for Baker’s drug addiction issues and subsequent overdose, he most likely would have still been creating and re-creating great music.

Although Chet Baker does have an instrumental version of “My Funny Valentine,” I find the vocal version much more interesting because of how he interprets the words and his delivery of the melody. The lyrics are already intimate enough–loving someone despite all of their little quirks and physical flaws–but when Chet starts to sing the words, you feel as though you’re sitting on the floor of a quiet, dark room with only his voice. Chet has an incredible way of expressing vulnerability and depth at the same time with his performance style. “My Funny Valentine” has and always will be a great standard, but Chet’s performance makes his version of this song the first that comes to mind when you think of this title.

Take a listen below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvXywhJpOKs

Are there any versions of a particular song that you can’t get enough of? Let us know in the comments below!

#OnRepeat, Jazz, Music

#OnRepeat: Cyrille Aimée’s “Young at Heart”

January 20, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Cyrille Aimée’s version of “Young at Heart” #OnRepeat. To be honest, I’ve been revisiting this song frequently over the past three or four months after discovering it on Pandora (a great source for finding new music, by the way), but haven’t been able to get it out of my head for the past week or so.

I’m not too familiar with Cyrille Aimée, but what I have learned so far is that she is a Jazz singer from the city of Samois-Sur-Seine in Fontainebleau, France who is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. Cyrille has won several prominent Jazz competitions over the years, including the Montreux Jazz Festival Competition in 2007 and was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition of 2010. Her music blends Jazz, Folk, and French music. Some of her most-well known songs are “It’s A Good Day,” “Smile,” and “Let’s Get Lost.”

“Young at Heart” is a popular standard, lyrics written by Carolyn Leigh and music by Johnny Richards. Frank Sinatra was the first to record and popularize the song in 1953. The song, “Young at Heart,” is one of the few songs whose lyrical themes are timeless and universal–viewing the world with innocence, expecting great things to happen, and having a positive outlook on life can keep you young and happy. The words are simple, yet poignant (if you haven’t already noticed, I dig simplicity and subtlety in music). Cyrille adds her own flare of innocence to the song with her vocal timbre and interpretation of the words. The way she slides up and down in her register between notes and where she chooses to place this in different lyrical phrases adds emphasis to the simplistic nature of the theme and the song itself.

Take a listen below:

Is there any musician or group that you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below and let us know!

#OnRepeat, Jazz, Music

#OnRepeat: Gregory Porter’s “But Beautiful”

January 9, 2017 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Gregory Porter’s version of the Jazz standard, “But Beautiful” #OnRepeat. If you’ve read previous posts, you’ll find that a lot of these #OnRepeat posts are about Gregory Porter (for good reason), but I can’t get enough of this song.

For those of you who aren’t familiar, Gregory Porter is a singer, songwriter and actor who won a Grammy in 2014 for Best Jazz Vocal Album with his album Liquid Spirit. Some of his most well known songs are “Be Good,” “Liquid Spirit,” and “Don’t Lose Your Steam.”

The music for the Jazz standard,”But Beautiful” was written by Jimmy Van Heusen and the lyrics by Johnny Burke for the movie, Road to Rio in 1947. The song has been performed by singers like Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, and Barbara Streisand. The song talks about both the good and bad aspects of love; despite all of it, it’s still beautiful. You still take the risk and fall, wanting to be with that other person no matter what. The lyrics are simplistic, yet so poignant, filled with emotion and imagery, which is the perfect type of song for Gregory Porter. Porter’s deep, yet bright vocal timbre and soulful/croon-like performance style adds so much more depth to an already musically and lyrically well-rounded song.

Take a listen below:

Do you have an singer or group that you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat, Jazz, Music

#OnRepeat: Lizz Wright’s “Soon As I Get Home”

December 31, 2016 No Comments

This week, I’ve had Lizz Wright’s version of “Soon As I Get Home” #OnRepeat. This is a song that I performed back during my undergrad years and I’m just now starting to listen to it again.

Lizz Wright is a Jazz and Blues singer from Georgia who released her first album, Salt, back in 2003. Her music mixes influences of Jazz, Gospel, Pop, Blues and Folk music. Although her writing and performance style has been compared to Norah Jones, her unique vocal timbre and musical phrasing sets her in a category all her own.

“Soon As I Get Home” is a song from the musical, The Wiz, and is sung by the main character, Dorothy, right before she meets the Scarecrow and heads down the yellow brick road to see the Wizard of Oz. The song lyrics talk about Dorothy’s fear and doubt, being in an unknown land by herself and not knowing what to expect. Lizz Wright’s performance of this song is spot on. Although she perfectly conveys the vulnerability and innocence that is so iconic of Dorothy’s character, Lizz’s deep voice brings out the themes of strength and bravery that are quite often overlooked when listening to this song.

Take a listen below:

Do you guys have any singers or groups that you can’t stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

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