Nordic folk-jazz chanteuse Rebekka Bakken was the most successful
exponent of a new generation of Scandinavian jazz singers that also
included Silje Nergaard, Sidsel Endresen, and Solveig Slettahjell. Born
in Oslo in 1970, Bakken studied violin and piano as a child, and in 1995
relocated to New York City to pursue a professional music career. There
she paired with Austrian-born guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel, and
together they toured the local nightclub circuit as a duo. In time
Bakken also befriended German pianist Julia Hülsmann, with whom she
recorded the 2003 album Scattering Poems, a collection of jazz
performances inspired by the poes of e.e. cummings. Upon completing the
project Bakken returned to Europe, settling in Vienna and signing a solo
deal with the Universum label. Her debut LP, The Art of How to Fall,
followed by year's end, and in 2005 she resurfaced with her commercial
breakthrough, Is That You? (by Jason
Ankeny)
I'm not sure if she's singing English phonically or it's just her impression of how some words are supposed to be pronounced but it is interesting - mainly because has a gorgeous voice and backed by world class musicians.
She has a deep powerful voice - if Marianne Faithful didn't smoke cigarettes and was more classically trained ... she might sound a little like Rebekka.
While she has a jazz voice as well as a great voice, these are not all jazz songs - rather because of her usual pronunciations, they actually come off as Adult Alternative Ballads - sort of if you crossed a deeper voice Joni Mitchell with Tom Waits stylings (not his voice :-) so there's an interesting edge of melancholy wistfulness to all the songs.
Instead of a classical setting in a nightclub dress, the setting should be a little grittier - this is actually a pretty interesting alt-country or A3 ballad CD.
If you want a musical adventure and like things a little different and not safe and formula - definitely look into this. (by KC metroxing)
I'm not sure if she's singing English phonically or it's just her impression of how some words are supposed to be pronounced but it is interesting - mainly because has a gorgeous voice and backed by world class musicians.
She has a deep powerful voice - if Marianne Faithful didn't smoke cigarettes and was more classically trained ... she might sound a little like Rebekka.
While she has a jazz voice as well as a great voice, these are not all jazz songs - rather because of her usual pronunciations, they actually come off as Adult Alternative Ballads - sort of if you crossed a deeper voice Joni Mitchell with Tom Waits stylings (not his voice :-) so there's an interesting edge of melancholy wistfulness to all the songs.
Instead of a classical setting in a nightclub dress, the setting should be a little grittier - this is actually a pretty interesting alt-country or A3 ballad CD.
If you want a musical adventure and like things a little different and not safe and formula - definitely look into this. (by KC metroxing)
Personnel:
Eivind Aarset (electronics, guitar)
Rebekka Bakken (piano)
Lars Danielsson (bass)
Per Lindvall (drums)
Peter Scherer (keyboards)
+
Bendik Hofseth (saxophone on 10.)
Knut Koppang (background vocals on 04. + 05.)
Nils Petter Molvær (trumpet on 03.)
Tracklist:
01. As Tears Clear Our Eyes (Bakken) 4.17
02. As I Lay Myself Bare (Bakken) 3.00
03. Didn't I (Bakken) 4.17
04. Going Home (Is A Lonely Travel) (Bakken) 4.03
05. Is That You? (Bakken) 3.33
06. Even If You Buy Me Thousand Cars (Bakken) 2.55
07. Why Do All the Good Guys Getthe Dragons? (Bakken) 4.05
08. So Ro (Bakken) 4.42
09. Just A Little Moon (Bakken) 3.35
10. Innocence (Bakken) 6.18
11. As Long As There Is A Voyage Away (Bakken) 5.35
ARMU 1342 (mediafire)
No comments:
Post a Comment