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Kendra Shank: A Spirit Free: Abbey Lincoln Songbook
ByKudos then to the fine New York singer Kendra Shank, a friend and disciple of Lincoln's, for finally taking on the challenge of recording an "Abbey Lincoln Songbook and a challenge it is, given how difficult and idiosyncratic Lincoln's tunes can be. But Shank, a former folksinger who shares some of Lincoln's theatrical intensity, knocks the eleven songs on A Spirit Free out of the park, capturing the essence of these deeply personal tunes without attempting the losing proposition of imitating Lincoln's wholly inimitable approach.
With fine, spare backing from a group featuring pianist Frank Kimbrough, saxophonist Billy Drewes, guitarist Ben Monder and accordionist Gary Versace among others, Shank makes some of Lincoln's best-known compositions her own. She squeezes all the melancholy drama out of the haunting torch song "Down Here Below and treats "The World Is Falling Down as a sort of Tom Waits-meets-circus-big-top theme. This will surely show up on many best vocal albums lists at the end of the year and will hopefully shine more light on the artistry of both Shank and Lincoln.
Track Listing
The Music Is the Magic; I Got Thunder (And It Rings); Not to Worry; Down Here Below; A Circle of Love; Incantation/Throw It Away; Bird Alone; The World Is Falling Down; Wholly Earth; Natas (aka Playmate); Being Me.
Personnel
Kendra Shank
vocalsKendra Shank: vocals; Frank Kimbrough: piano; Dean Johnson: bass; Billy Drewes: bass clarinet: soprano and tenor saxophones; Ben Monder: guitar; Tony Moreno: drums; Gary Versace: accordion.
Album information
Title: A Spirit Free: Abbey Lincoln Songbook | Year Released: 2007 | Record Label: Challenge Records