Music Lane

Posted by thetubeguy1954 (A) on February 01, 2008 at 12:23:15

A couple of days ago I posted about a relatively unknown female jazz vocalist named Jackie Allen. When I visit my local music stores to purchase new music I usually try to start a converstation if and when there's someone else in the Jazz section. Unfortunately it seems that when I attempt to talk about female jazz vocalists, everyone immediately wants to talk about either Diana Krall or Norah Jones! Don't get me wrong these are two very talented ladies. But what I really enjoy is searching out a relatively obscure or unknown female jazz vocalist to add to my collection. That way when I get home at night listening to my audio system isn't like turning on the radio and I get to hear music I cannot hear anywhere else but at home.

In addition, I absolutely love it when, on those rare occasions I have guests, I can put on a CD I "know" my guest has most likely never, ever, heard of! As the music plays I begin to feel like a little child pulling a prank. I well up with delight as I see the look come over their faces just before they turn and ask me: "Who is that?" and then that question is usually followed by "Where can I get it?"

Besides Jackie Allen, who I've already mentioned, I also have CDs by:

1) Eva Cassidy ---I believe Eva does the best rendition of "Over The Rainbow" I've ever heard.

2) Khani Cole ---Khani is perhaps one of the best of the relatively unknown female jazz vocalists I've yet to hear. Khani's version of "You've Made Me So Very Happy" is IMHO even better than David Clayton Thomas's version!

3) Kevyn Lettau ---Kevyn is heavily influenced by Brazilian music. A couple of her songs I really like are "Whenever Your Heart Wants to Sing" and "I Get a Kick Out of You." But I adore her entire debut CD, from which the songs come from.

4) Rene Olstead ---GOD I cannot believe the pipes on this young girl. I purchased her CD after hearing "A Love That Will Last" on WLOQ my local Smooth Jazz station here in Orlando, Fla. However I just love the way she sings "Summertime." What's perhaps the most shocking is she was 14 when this, her debut CD was recorded!

5) Nura ---Nura is perhaps my greatest discovery in that she's the one vocalist no one has ever said they've ever heard before! Nura is a Canadian lady, who can sound like Enya on one song and then go to sounding like Astrid Gilberto on the next! Her song "Rue Clarendon" is an absolute must hear.

Can anyone here help me add to my collection of talented jazz or jazzy female vocalists that are obscure or relatively unknown, by providing me with their names and your suggestion of a good CD to purchase by them?

Thanks for your time and help....

Thetubeguy1954

A Rational Subjectivist

Edits: 02/01/08