Divinity and Sass

Okay. The location? Best Buy. The year? Not too sure, sometime mid-90s. I had a Best Buy gift card and purchased my first c.d. ever. The c.d.? The Essential Sarah Vaughan. I actually picked it out because she was the prettiest girl on the album cover (definitely a "book-by-its-cover" girl).

And I have to tell you, it's still one of my favorite albums. I do love Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, but Sarah Vaughan has a special place in my heart. She has an amazing virtuoso range and the sexiest little lilt to her voice! She was nicknamed both "the Divine One" and "Sassy," and the fact that Sarah fit both those names sums up her appeal; the perfect combination of talent and personality. Few singers as effectively use their voices like an instrument but Sarah is... well... just listen to Lullaby of Birdland (particularly beginning at 2:16) and you'll see!

How cute is she in this song?

And Misty still gives me goosebumps.

If you get hooked, try to find her My Man's Gone Now for heart-wrenching passion and Broken-Hearted Melody for pure fun.

So, what was your first c.d./mp3/tape/record you ever bought? Do you still listen to it?

*Feel free to follow this blog! I promise only to lead you to bright, sunny places.

Musical Muses

As a female singer-songwriter, I am a little embarrassed that the primary musical inspirations I mention (Sting! Harry Connick, jr! Randy Newman! Thelonious Monk! Etc.) are men. So I wanted to discuss some female musicians and songwriters that have influenced my music.

Sarah Vaughan

She was the very first jazz singer I discovered and she's still my favorite. Her singing is so emotive and Her Lullaby of Birdland is breathtaking.

Astrud Gilberto

I love Astrud's sexy but innocent voice and her completely unaffected manner of singing along with her song choices. AND she got to do a duet with George Michael. Here is a video of her singing Bim Bom. So adorable!

Suzanne Vega

The Christmas after I first started writing music, my sister-in-law gave me Nine Objects of Desire by Ms. Vega and I listened to it around nine million times. Caramel is one of the sexiest songs off the album.

Emily Loizeau

Emily Loizeau is delightfully quirky and her piano playing very accomplished. I actually wrote another blog entry about her a while ago. Here is Jalouse from L'Autre Bout de Monde.

Madeleine Peyroux

Her music is just so delightfully arranged and sung and evokes feelings of Paris in the rain. I love her cozy Don't Wait Too Long.