Review - Dee Dee Bridgewater "This is New" - DaveT

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Review - Dee Dee Bridgewater "This is New"

I have ranted about the medocrity of Verve assemblages of artists and recordings of late. In this specific instance I have to atone. This recording by Dee Dee Bridgewater is just awe inspiring.
The CD is dedicated to the music of Kurt Weill. Her brother, Cecil Bridgewater, does most of the arrangements. The performance of the musicians are on par to the Songbooks by Ella 50 years ago. Dee Dee's performance is stellar in her own right, but then again - no one - is Ella. This recording just gives you goose bumps with its clarity and life likeness. The "recording" of the individual instruments is the best I have heard. The song Bilbao Song is so life like that I felt I could reach out and touch each performer.
Some twenty years ago I saw Ms Bridgewater perform at the Cellar Door in D.C. I sat at a table directly in front of her and there was quite a bit of interaction between the persons at my table and Dee Dee. This performance rivals that live set. I repeatedly opened my eyes suprised to see she and the musicians were not there.
Younger vocalist should surely take note. This production is exemplary in all regards. Ms Bridgewater has been recording for 20+ years and this CD by far captures the soul of her performance. This CD I hope is the start of a series of "songbooks" that Ms. Bridgewater will leave as a legacy for aspiring vocalist in years to come.
Verve has redeemed itself. The Verve magic of 50 years ago is recaptured in this CD. I can only hope that more pure performances like this CD are forth coming rather than the hodgepodges of artist and mediocre performances that has been the pattern of late.
This is a CD that is well worth a listen.

DaveT

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Topic - Review - Dee Dee Bridgewater "This is New" - DaveT 09:14:48 11/16/02 (5)

Re: Review - "This is New" - DaveT 14:46:20 11/16/02 (0)

I listened repeatedly to "Live at Yoshi's"... - SE 10:43:05 11/16/02 (3)

Re: I listened repeatedly to "Live at Yoshi's"... - jazz1 21:54:03 11/16/02 (0)

kurt is a true master, whom do you prefer? - hifitommy 11:20:25 11/16/02 (1)

Yes, this is definitely just me. I don't know quite why. n/t - SE 12:21:52 11/16/02 (0)

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