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Jazz Articles about Nnenna Freelon
Nnenna Freelon: Blueprint of a Lady: Sketches of Billie Holiday
by Ken Franckling
Nnenna Freelon's latest project pays tribute to singer Billie Holiday in the best possible way--without imitation and putting her own interpretations on material written by or associated with Lady Day. Her band, adjusted to fit the mood of each song, skillfully complements her at every turn. Freelon's phrasing and vocal clarity contribute to an overall feeling that is more positive than Holiday's often dark and plaintive renditions of the same material. Interspersed within this tribute are three ...
read moreNnenna Freelon: Tales of Wonder: Celebrating Stevie Wonder
by Dave Nathan
For her latest album, Nnenna Freelon has set aside what she calls the music of her parents to pay tribute to one of the most talented artists of her day, Stevie Wonder. For me, this album is a curious homage. Instead of capturing the joy of Wonder's music, Freelon sings as if she were worshiping at a temple erected to honor of the composer. The arrangements are heavy, spiritual and muddy, lacking any crispness. Some of her interpretations of Wonder's ...
read moreNnenna Freelon: Tales Of Wonder: Celebrating Stevie Wonder
by Jim Santella
By interpreting these songs in her own jazz style, Nnenna Freelon has given them new life. Sure, there’s a drummer’s backbeat and lots of surround-sound harmony floating around her. But each piece takes on a slower appearance in Freelon’s hands. She soothes each one into a lush ballad that writhes and circles its path over a sullen winter landscape or an expansive oceanfront sand path. Even “My Cherie Amour” hesitates somewhat between phrases to permit Freelon’s trademark form of expression. ...
read moreNnenna Freelon: Soulcall
by Mathew Bahl
Nnenna Freelon’s high profile self-titled recording debut on Columbia Records in 1992 prematurely vaulted the young singer onto the national jazz stage. Unfortunately, Ms. Freelon was still in the process of developing her style and a major record label like Columbia proved to be a less than ideal environment for a singer with growing pains. It wasn’t until signing with Concord Jazz in 1996 that Ms. Freelon truly began to find her own voice. Her two previous Grammy-nominated CDs for ...
read moreNnenna Freelon: Soulcall
by AAJ Staff
Slowly but surely, Nnenna Freelon is forging her own distinctive identity in the minds of listeners through her singular voice and through the uplifting messages inherent in her CD's.Now that Concord is giving her free reign to produce her own CD's, Freelon has chosen to sing about the ultimate uplift: the basis and the optimism of her faith. While her last CD, “Maiden Voyage," concerned itself with the stages of a woman's life with unflinching honesty, “Soulcall" elaborates ...
read moreNnenna Freelon: Soulcall
by Jim Santella
With an eclectic program and her loose feeling of relaxed charm, Nnenna Freelon expresses like no other. On “Button Up Your Overcoat,” for example, she interprets the lyrics with seductive passion. Not a lightweight pop arrangement, Freelon’s offering tells you “Take good care of yourself” because she seems to care about you. It’s from the heart. She’s telling you how she feels about you while weaving with meaningful gestures and vocal expressions. Chris Potter’s soulful tenor saxophone interlude applies intensity ...
read moreNnenna Freelon: Maiden Voyage
by Jack Bowers
No matter how impressive the voice, no matter how well–oiled the pipes — and Lord knows Nnenna Freelon is abundantly blessed in both respects — he or she simply cannot rise far above the material. Although Freelon makes a gallant effort on Maiden Voyage, the ship barely gets out of drydock, overladen with forgettable lyrics and lashed to its moorings by mundane melodies. Too harsh? Perhaps. But if I were going to open a set with eight sleep–inducing originals, as ...
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