Cassandra Wilson New Moon Daughter (2 LP)

180 Gram Double Vinyl! Re-mastered by Ron McMaster at Capitol Studios! Jazz Tinged Compositions Sit Alongside a Stunning Set of Ingenious Covers! Pressed at Pallas in Germany!
Cassandra Wilson's own excellent, jazz tinged compositions sit alongside a stunning set of ingenious covers from a highly diverse spectrum of composers. "Last Train To Clarksville" is transformed from a catchy pop song into a stripped-down and genuinely effective jazz vocal work-out. "Harvest Moon" slows down Neil Young's already wistful ballad to an almost painful level and, in so doing, takes it to an even higher level of gentle reflection. Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" & U2's "Love Is Blindness" are transformed into 3 in the morning jazz club classics. The vocals and backing to Robert Johnson's "32-20" are simplified to the point where only the essence of the blues is allowed to shine and, Lewis Allan's "Strange Fruit" becomes as desolate and challenging as its horrific lyrics.
This is no easy listen... sparse, complex, often brooding arrangements coupled with Cassandra Wilson's deep, earthy voice and complicated phrasing demand your attention. Waver and you're lost. BUT... give this album the listening time & space it deserves and reap the rewards. Unusual, highly atmospheric tracks that combine superb singing and marvellously "distant" musical backings to weave real magic. Clever, very effective and worth the required effort!
This album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart in 1996.

Features:

• 180 Gram Vinyl
• Pressed at Pallas in Germany
• Double LP
• Re-mastered by Ron McMaster at Capitol Studios
• Gatefold Sleeve
  

Musicians:

• Cassandra Wilson, vocals, acoustic guitar
• Cyro Baptista, percussion, Jew's-Harp, shaker
• Dougie Bowne, percussion, drums, whistle, vibraphone
• Gary Breit, Hammond organ
• Kevin Breit, acoustic & electric guitar, banjo, bouzouki
• Brandon Ross. acoustic & electric guitar
• Charles Burnham, violin
• Tony Cedras, accordion
• Graham Haynes, cornet
• Lawrence "Butch" Morris, cornet
• Jeff Haynes, percussion, bongos
• Peepers, background vocals
• Mark Peterson, bass
• Lonnie Plaxico, bass
• Gib Wharton, pedal steel guitar
• Chris Whitley, guitar

Selections:

Side A
1. Strange Fruit
2. Love Is Blindness
3. Solomon Sang
Side B
1. Death Letter
2. Skylark
3. Find Him
4. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Side C
1. Last Train To Clarksville
2. Until
3. A Little Warm Death
Side D
1. Memphis
2. Harvest Moon
3. 32-20