An interesting mixture of sources here: R&B, blues, folk, rock and popular – and also some original material. To all the songs on this album Wilson brings a highly sophisticated and thoroughly professional attitude. Her singing voice, deep and cultivated, intriguingly blends confidence with intimacy.
The two Robert Johnson songs, Kitchen and Hellhound, are undoubtedly more polished than their composer’s versions but I see no reason why she should not sing them in her own fashion.
The accompaniment is very good. Although listed as a group, the three guitarists play various types of instrument – steel string, octave and pedal steel – and the percussionists supply a variety of tasteful effects.
Altogether a very interesting Blue Note debut (her ninth album as leader), and I would expect younger readers (under thirties?) to go for it in a big way. Older hands might well like it too but may want to try and hear a few tracks first. The opener, for example, is a beautiful and sensitive rendering of the Raye-de Paul song. Excellent sound.
Discography
You Don’t Know What Love Is; Come On In My Kitchen; Tell Me You’ll Wait For Me; Children Of The Night; Hellhound On My Trail; Black Crow; Sankofa; Estrellas; Redbone; Tupelo Honey; Blue Light ’Til Dawn; I Can’t Stand The Rain (56.13)
Wilson (v) with (collective personnel) Olu Dara (c); Don Byron (cl); Brandon Ross, Gib Wharton, Chris Whitley (g); Kenny Davis, Lonnie Plaxico (b); Tony Cedras (acn); Charlie Burnham (vn, mandocello); Lance Carter, Kevin Johnson, Vinx, Bill McClellan, Jeff Haynes, Cyro Baptista (d, pc). Unknown location and date but presumably USA, 1993.
Blue Note CDP 0777 81357 2 2
