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Cassandra Wilson - Loverly

June 17th, 2008

by Bambi Weavil

Cassandra Wilson Loverly album cover

Cassandra Wilson

Loverly

Official Sites: http://www.bluenote.com

http://www.cassandrawilson.com/

Official MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/cassandrawilson

Gorgeous, enchanting, seductive, elegant, and classy. These are words that I would describe Loverly, and also embody the wonderfully talented jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson. Tantalizing, rhythmically driven jazz collection of standards, this is her first Blue Note album since Thunderbird in 2006, where she explored a multilayered sonic approach jazz piloted by pop producer T Bone Burnett.

“Lover Come Back To Me” opens up the album with a upbeat 1950s soundscape, with a great improvised set by guest trumpeter Nick Payton in New Orleans. “Black Orpheus” is a beautiful shade of musical jade, rich in texture and quality of Wilson’s undeniable vocal interpretation. “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” from My Fair Lady is also one of her favorite musicals, and she does it completely classy. “Gone With The Wind” has a strong opening from guitarist Marvin Sewell, and “Caravan” has a strong percussion flavor with upbeat and fun solos by Sewell and Jason Moran on piano.

“Dust My Broom” is gorgeous, a blues sound and a sakara rhythm, and is one of my favorite songs on Loverly. A fun, upbeat and strong blues/jazz version of “St. James Infirmary,” made famous by Louis Armstrong, is one I’m convinced is priceless on Loverly with lyrics like: “Put a jazz band behind my hearse wagon, to raise hell as we roll along.“

African rhythms accompany all the jazz standards and prove to be a refreshingly good fit. “‘Til There Was You,” from the musical The Music Man (and also covered by The Beatles) is gorgeous. “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most” is a soulful, stirring, meditative reflection, accompanied solely by Sewell, bringing out the emotional depths of Wilson’s undeniable talent.

A nice addition to Loverly is the joint original, percussion-strong and groove-filled “Arere” which is inspired by the Yoruban deity of iron and willpower. The slow-stirring, longing “The Very Thought Of You” was one Wilson always wanted to record, and with guest bassist Reginald Veal, it is now her classic.

Loverly is a great way to treat yourself to a good jazz record that breaks traditions without disrespecting the pioneers. Wilson gives everything her own special touch and it is simply loverly.