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Tessa Souter: Listen Love
How nice to hear a sophisticated singer who so completely respects the melody, the lyrics, and the moment. Tessa Souter contributes much to the evolution of the songs she chooses to performshe finds ways through phrase, paraphrase, and instrumental accompaniment to add rich new color. Like Norma Winstonewhose lyrics for Jimmy Rowles' "The Peacocks she uses hereSouter understands what is needed to deliver a song. Her voice, her sense of drama, her use of space and shapeall these work towards the sense of birth in each of these performances. You may have heard some of these songs before, but they're newly refashioned on Listen Love.
Take the '60s Pharoah Sanders/Leon Thomas hymn "The Creator Has a Master Plan, which she demystifies. In doing this, Souter finds a different, earthier way to sing it in which none of the spiritual or anthemic quality is lost; the arrangement is buoyed by the soulful bass of Essiet Essiet and the ethereal guitar of Freddie Bryant.
Souter's singing style feels natural and organicher rich, dark voice combines with her ability to see the shape of a tune, so that words seem to come from her soul. The production is pure and simple, and thus the song stays at the center of consciousness. "Caravan, a song that's seen countless performances by countless singers, is reanimated with new dynamics and a hypnotic vocal arrangement.
"You Don't Have To Believe, says the title of one of the singer's originals, but what happens is that the magic happens and you find yourself believing in what she does after all.
Take the '60s Pharoah Sanders/Leon Thomas hymn "The Creator Has a Master Plan, which she demystifies. In doing this, Souter finds a different, earthier way to sing it in which none of the spiritual or anthemic quality is lost; the arrangement is buoyed by the soulful bass of Essiet Essiet and the ethereal guitar of Freddie Bryant.
Souter's singing style feels natural and organicher rich, dark voice combines with her ability to see the shape of a tune, so that words seem to come from her soul. The production is pure and simple, and thus the song stays at the center of consciousness. "Caravan, a song that's seen countless performances by countless singers, is reanimated with new dynamics and a hypnotic vocal arrangement.
"You Don't Have To Believe, says the title of one of the singer's originals, but what happens is that the magic happens and you find yourself believing in what she does after all.
Track Listing
The Peacocks; Willow; Caravan; Listen Love; Fragile; You Don't Have to Believe; Concierto de Aranjuez; Insensatez; Left Alone; The Creater Has a Master Plan
Personnel
Tessa Souter
vocalsAlbum information
Title: Listen Love | Year Released: 2005 | Record Label: Nara
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Tessa Souter
CD/LP/Track Review
Donald Elfman
Narada Jazz
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New York
New York City
Listen Love