Nancy Wilson But Beautiful

Highly successful and respected jazz and soul singer Nancy Wilson bridges the gap between the era of classical pop with artists such as Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald and the best of today's rhythm & blues divas. Although Nancy Wilson always described the emotionally cool, androgynous style of Jimmy Scott as her main influence, there were always clear reminiscences of Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan in her voice. Nevertheless, Nancy Wilson always had a soft spot for the soul of the post-Sam Cooke era and her harsh vocals were more than just a reminder of the sometimes icy Lena Horne.
Young and breathtakingly beautiful, Wilson was discovered in the late '50s at a New York jazz club by Cannonball Adderley, who strongly recommended his management at Capitol Records sign her before another label preceded them. Wilson immediately signed and started recording for Capitol, the leading vocal label of the 50s and 60s. She released a number of very respectable LPs with star arranger Billy May, but she had her successes on the radio and pop hit lists in smaller line-ups together with successful colleagues from Capitol Records (with George Shearing on "The Swinging's Mutual" and another track with Cannonball Adderley). Catapulted into the pop stratosphere, Wilson was the most successful artist on Capitol Records, leaving all the others between Nat King Cole and the Beach Boys behind until the Beatles conquered America and triggered a culturally all-changing wave.
"But Beautiful" is a great album from the 60s, the set of jazz ballads was created under the direction of pianist Hank Jones. In the 70s and 80s, Wilson slowly changed from a pop star to a mature, contemporary soul singer. From the 1990s to the present day, Wilson Wilson returned to jazz standards, soulful interpretations and contemporary ballads, as well as sensational jazz concerts. The duration of Wilson's career and the power in her voice are virtually unique in the field of modern pop music, though her career — and her affinity for jazz, blues, and soul — has many parallels to that of her colleague at Capitol, Lou Rawls.

Features:

• 180g Vinyl
• Pressed at Pallas in Germany
• Limited Edition

Musicians:

• Nancy Wilson (voc)
• Hank Jones (p)
• Gino Bertachini (g)
• Ron Carter (b)
• Grady Tate (dr)

Selections:

Side A
1. Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe
2. Oh! Look At Me Now
3. Glad To Be Unhappy
4. Do it again
5. But Beautiful
6. Easy Living
Side B
1. Prelude To A Kiss
2. I Thought About You
3. For Heaven's Sake
4. Supper Time
5. I'll Walk Alone
6. Darn That Dream
7. In A Sentimental Mood