Don't want to leave out Nellie

About a month ago, I turned on Fresh Air and was delighted to hear an interview with one of my favorite singers, Nellie McKay. I almost slammed on the brakes and screamed when I heard what her latest record is- a tribute to Doris Day. I love Doris so very, very much and I think Nellie McKay is one of the most interesting young singers out there right now. She does a cabaret style that hearkens back to Blossom Dearie. But Nellie also sings about feminism and crime in New York amongst other things (she also occasionally raps.) She is charming, seems quite intelligent and is definitely very musically talented. The songs on the album are a dedication to Miss Day, her endless appeal and magical talent with a song. Nellie arranged the songs- keeping them fresh and adding her own touch without taking them too far from their original. This song is actually one of my favorite Bossa Nova songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim- so it's double the fun for me! Take a listen for yourself...

An unusual voice

I knew the second that the jazz radio DJ said "This next artist has a different voice that is unusual and takes some getting used to, or at least for me, I'm not sure if I like all her album but I do like this song." I prepared myself for something delightful- because a different, unusual voice is something that I usually enjoy a lot. Well, I was bowled over when I heard the voice of Kat Edmonson singing "(Just Like) Starting Over" it took me a few moments to realize it was John Lennon's song. It was simply sublime and beautiful and I can't believe this jazz radio DJ even thought two seconds about playing this and possibly offending someone with this "unusual voice." I went home and immediately looked up her music and found her on Youtube:



Then I busted my weekly budget and bought the album on iTunes. The rest of her album is gorgeous. Please check it out for yourself. She does amazing covers of "Lovefool," "Just Like Heaven" and jazz standards such as "Night and Day" and my all time favorite song- "Summertime." Anyone who can take songs from The Cure and The Cardigans and turn them into jazz standards is awesome in my book. Her phrasing reminds me of Billie Holiday but the tone of her voice reminds me of Blossom Dearie, she has that same little girl quality, then there is the breathiness that reminds me of Chet Baker. She is a fine singer and if she continues- will fit nicely in the pantheon. And I haven't even mentioned the band- they are amazing. Living jazz at it's finest.