This post is by Scott and Dan
Recorded on October 1 and 2, 1984
Vocalist Sheila Jordan got a late start as a recording artist, as her debut Portrait of Sheila (Blue Note, 1962) was recorded when she was 33 years old. She is now 94 and can look back at almost 100 recordings on many labels. It would be hard to pick any one album as her "masterpiece," but The Crossing should certainly be one of the nominees.
The backing band is first rate. Bassist Harvie Swartz (known frequently as Harvie S.) played duets with Jordan on several full albums: Old Time Feeling (Palo Alto, 1983), Songs from Within (M*A, 1993), The Very Thought of Two (M*A, 2000), and Yesterdays (HighNote, 2012). He appears on many of her other albums. Obviously, there is a strong connection between them. Tom Harrell's fluegelhorn is also a perfect partner for Jordan's voice. Kenny Barron and Ben Riley round out the blue-ribbon supporting band.
"Sheila's Blues" and "The Crossing" are overtly autobiographic, as Jordan shares experiences from her youth and her recovery from alcoholism. Such bare honesty may not be everyone's cup of tea, but she pulls it off. The blues namechecks the bebop artists she admired and knew as a child, and she confesses that she would not be alive without their music to inspire her. (A more recent autobiographical album is Jazz Child (HighNote, 1999)). The Crossing also includes a delightful medley to honor her main influences: Billie Holiday and Lester Young.
To quote Andrew Rowan's sleeve notes, "The Crossing is another jewel in the crown of one of America's finest artists. She faces her disappointments and demons and rejoices in her triumphs, and we are privileged to share these moments." Indeed!
No comments:
Post a Comment