VARIOUS ARTISTS / “Blackbird”
We’ve been here before but it was a much briefer stop over, this time we take a long healthy look at “Blackbird” (the Beatles composition). You can go here to read what we wrote on the first go round back in November 2005. "Blackbird" is a song whose meaning deepens when sung from a black cultural perspective.
Blackbird Mixtape Playlist
1. Trijntje Oosterhuis - Ken Je Mij (unavailable in the USA)
Dutch vocalist does a good job however I really, really like Uruguayan guitarist Leonardo Amuedo. His sensitive touch and timing lift this duo to a level of high artistry.
2. Dionne Farris - Passion (CD single)
Again the lead vocalist does a good job but the accompanist is the main attraction—in this case it’s an uncredited bass player. 
3. Tony Williams - The Story Of Neptune
Monster drummer comes up with a hip arrangement, sort of an update of the Art Blakey Jazz Messengers sound. The band is: Tony Williams (drums), Wallace Roney (trumpet), Mulgrew Miller (piano), Bill Pierce (sax), Ira Coleman (bass).
4. Sarah Vaughan - Songs Of The Beatles
This is almost, but not quite, a throw-away novelty rendition (especially with that man sawing in the background; I don’t know what that’s about). Sassy Sarah Vaughan doesn’t do much real singing except the Marty Patch arrangement has a bunch of twists in it and what’s interesting to me is how skillfully Ms. Vaughan makes the changes. She makes it seem so, so easy.
5. Rene Marie - Vertigo
Rene Marie is one of our favorites on BoL and she was the feature on the previous “Blackbird” posting. Everything we said before remains accurate except I have a new favorite version of this number—it’s the last track on this mixtape.
6. Brad Mehldau - Deregulating Jazz
Although he’s not British and he’s not blind, Brad Mehldau reminds me a little of George Shearing. Brad’s approach swings lightly and has moments of genuinely moving improvisation. The main thing is the melodic attractiveness that is an earmark of Mehldau’s playing. 
7. Faith Pillow - Live 1981
Unless you’re an old skool, jazzhead from Chicago (or a jazz fan from The Netherlands) you’ve probably not heard nor heard of Faith Pillow. We’ll be featuring her in the not too distant future, meanwhile I invite you to listen to this stirring interpretation. I also encourage you to go to her website and read her short autobiography and to acquire her CD.
This entry was posted on Monday, April 6th, 2009 at 2:34 am and is filed under Cover. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
3 Responses to “VARIOUS ARTISTS / “Blackbird””
April 12th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
My brother this is one of my FAVORITE songs. Loving what you write and the music…..well it sounds for itself.
PS I have a version by Denzal Sinclaire out of Canada that is worth hearing.
April 12th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Forgot to add that Rene Marie is as fierce as all get out. Will check Faith as soon as I finish the mixtape.
April 12th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Faith Pillow. I am one of the unfortunate ones who never heard of her. As I read her bio while listening to her music, I was relating to her child of the 50’s outlook. I was not prepared when she died I was momentarily frozen in my seat. Such honest music. I will order the albums still in print. Thanks for this and look forward to your future pieces on her.
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