Soulcall (Concord Jazz)
Nnenna Freelon
Released September 12, 2000
Grammy Nominee for Best Jazz Vocal Album 2001
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_l8MP1d8IzIBGNb1t1xlMA6PqE6FsFVblM
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/4Sl5RzteYAOBXpwku9PlIX?si=1obBNFcfQnGZlRGgTDOCug&dl_branch=1
About:
Nnenna Freelon’s highly anticipated new CD Soulcall releases her energy, talent, and soulful vocals into a great program of 13 songs inspired by jazz traditions, gospel influences, and pop favorites. Accompanied by a great band, including Chris Potter on alto flute and tenor saxophone, Ray Drummond on bass, and special guests Kirk Whalum on tenor saxophone, Joe Beck on guitar, and Sounds of Blackness and Take 6 on vocals, the dynamic, award-winning, vocalist emanates her eclectic musical tastes with cozy intimacy, soulful nuance, and curvaceous phrasings. Freelon resurrects two renditions of “Amazing Grace” for modern artists; one a quiet, duet with pianist Takana Miyamoto and the other, a gospel jazz version with pianist James Williams, Ray Drummond, drummer Ed Thigpen, and tambourines by Gregg Field. The soulcall successfully comes through on the title track, a composition penned by Freelon, which reflects her true essence. Her voice is beautiful and possesses the amazing ability to gracefully change in musical expression and shading. “Let It Be Me” and “Just in Time” reveal her ability to caress a great ballad and scat sing with the best of them. The Grammy-nominated singer only improves with age and shows tremendous growth from her debut album, Shaking Free, and the much celebrated Maiden Voyage.
Track Listing:
1. Better Than Anything (Bill Loughbrough / David “Buck” Wheat) 4:55
2. Let It Be Me (Gilbert Bécaud / Manny Curtis / Pierre Delanoë) 4:48
3. Straighten up and Fly Right (Nat King Cole / Irving Mills) 3:24
4. Amazing Grace (John Newton) 2:32
5. Button up Your Overcoat (Lew Brown / Buddy DeSylva / Ray Henderson) 5:02
6. One Child at a Time (Nnenna Freelon) 3:58
7. I Say a Little Prayer (Burt Bacharach / Hal David) 4:18
8. If It’s Magic (Stevie Wonder) 4:08
9. Soulcall (Nnenna Freelon) 4:00
10. Just in Time (Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Jule Styne) 4:26
11. It’s Only a Paper Moon (Harold Arlen / E.Y. “Yip” Harburg / Billy Rose) 3:40
12. You’re Nearer/Nearer My God to Thee (Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers / Traditional) 4:13
13. Amazing Grace (John Newton) 4:03
Personnel:
Nnenna Freelon: vocals
James Sandon: tenor saxophone (1, 11)
Takana Miyamoto: piano (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11), Fender Rhodes (5, 7)
Wayne Batchelor: bass (1, 2, 5-7, 9, 11)
Woody Williams: drums (1, 2, 5-7, 9, 11)
Beverly Botsford: percussion (1, 2, 5, 7, 9)
Kirk Whalum: tenor saxophone (2, 6)
Take 6: backing vocals (3)
Sound of Blackness: backing vocals (6)
Chris Potter: tenor saxophone (5, 11), flute (9)
Matt Shulman: trumpet (5, 11)
Joe Beck: guitar (8, 9)
Ray Drummond: bass (10, 12, 13)
Ed Thigpen: drums (10, 13)
James Williams: piano (10, 12, 13)
Gregg Field: tambourine (13)
Recorded April 20, 21 and 23, 2000, at Sound On Sound Studios, New York, NY
Additional recording at Atomic K Studios, Minneapolis, MN
Produced by Nnenna Freelon
Executive Producer: Glen Barros and John Burk
Recorded and Mixed by Joseph Gluck
Mastering: Scott Hull
Cover Art: Rudy Calvo
Review:
Nnenna Freelon’s highly anticipated new CD Soulcall releases her energy, talent, and soulful vocals into a great program of 13 songs inspired by jazz traditions, gospel influences, and pop favorites. Accompanied by a great band, including Chris Potter on alto flute and tenor saxophone, Ray Drummond on bass, and special guests Kirk Whalum on tenor saxophone, Joe Beck on guitar, and Sounds of Blackness and Take 6 on vocals, the dynamic, award-winning, vocalist emanates her eclectic musical tastes with cozy intimacy, soulful nuance, and curvaceous phrasings. Freelon resurrects two renditions of “Amazing Grace” for modern artists; one a quiet, duet with pianist Takana Miyamoto and the other, a gospel jazz version with pianist James Williams, Ray Drummond, drummer Ed Thigpen, and tambourines by Gregg Field. The soulcall successfully comes through on the title track, a composition penned by Freelon, which reflects her true essence. Her voice is beautiful and possesses the amazing ability to gracefully change in musical expression and shading. “Let It Be Me” and “Just in Time” reveal her ability to caress a great ballad and scat sing with the best of them. The Grammy-nominated singer only improves with age and shows tremendous growth from her debut album, Shaking Free, and the much celebrated Maiden Voyage.
Paula Edelstein (AllMusic)
