The title phrase—if you substitute “mutata” for “mutato”—translates in Latin to “Although changed, I shall arise the same,” and Julia Lashae embodies that thought. For the occasion, the jazz vocalist has turned her attention from canonical standards to more singer/songwriterly material, and even though the change has consequences, ultimately the results are very Lashae. The [...]
Tag Archives: vocal jazz
Cindy Scott, Let the Devil Take Tomorrow (Catahoula)
January 1, 2010 – 12:01 am
I’ve surprised many friends over the years by saying that Cindy Scott’s debut album from 2002, Major to Minor, is my favorite album by a local woman singer. This is problematic for some, since 1) Scott is not from here and 2) her back-up band on this album is from Houston. Scott’s second disc, the [...]
Kat Walker, Jazz Skat Gumbo (Independent)
July 1, 2009 – 12:01 am
Kat Walker has an appealing burr in voice when she hits lower notes, and her easygoing style is charming for its lack of pretension. But when an album covers the standard-est of standards, the versions need to open up some aspect of the song or feature astounding musicianship. The playing on Jazz Skat Gumbo is [...]
Ruthie Foster, The Truth According to Ruthie Foster (Blue Corn Music)
July 1, 2009 – 12:01 am
In The Truth According to Ruthie Foster, the Texas-bred singer draws from a wide palate of American song forms, from folk, gospel and jazz in an album stylistically much broader than its predecessor, 2007’s The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster. Here, Foster updates her sound with touches of contemporary R&B and bluesy soul, sounding at times like [...]
Ingrid Lucia, St. Valentine’s Day Massacre (Independent)
May 1, 2009 – 12:01 am
On America’s Next Top Model, Tyra Banks tells the young model-wannabes to smile with their eyes. The contestants pretend they get it, but they never do, and neither does anybody watching because Tyra demonstrates the idea with a look that is the same as the one from moments before. But I get the concept because [...]
