Noj Posted September 10, 2004 Report Posted September 10, 2004 Esther is cool! My favorites so far are From A Whisper To A Scream, Black Eyed Blues, and Performance. Quote
jazzbo Posted September 10, 2004 Report Posted September 10, 2004 Wow, what a difference a day makes! Quote
JSngry Posted September 10, 2004 Author Report Posted September 10, 2004 I just now had to spend nearly $20 for a UK Kudu compilation CD to get the version of "Stormy Weather" from CAPRICORN PRINCESS. That's too damn much, but that one cut is worth it. Shoulda bought the album back in the day instead of always hearing it on the radio. Oh well, that's how it goes. Quote
Noj Posted September 10, 2004 Report Posted September 10, 2004 Wow, what a difference a day makes! Yeah, she's hit and miss. But when she was on, she was FUNKY! I dig tunes like "Black-Eyed Blues," "Disposable Society," and her cover of Gil-Scott Heron's "Home Is Where The Hatred Is." Quote
JSngry Posted September 10, 2004 Author Report Posted September 10, 2004 Esther could cut you to the bone quicker than anything except seeing your mamma cry. She didn't always, but she could. Quote
chris olivarez Posted September 14, 2004 Report Posted September 14, 2004 I used to have an album of her's that had "Into The Mystic" and "My Prayer" and I enjoyed the hell out of it. Her contributions to Johnny Otis's "Live At Monterrey" are top notch. Like Bobby Womack she is an artist I definitely want to check out more in the future. Quote
paul secor Posted September 15, 2004 Report Posted September 15, 2004 I love the stuff she recorded for Federal - "Aged and Mellow" with Ben Webster backing her is my favorite of those records - but my all time favorite Esther Phillips is "Set Me Free". I first heard it on an Atlantic 45, and it was later released on a double LP with that title. I believe that Charlie Rich was the first to record that tune. I love Charlie Rich, and I like his version, but Esther Phillips did it best - no contest. I believe that there was a CD version of the Atlantic LPs also, but they're probably both long out of print. If you see the 45, the LPs, or the CD - grab any one of them. Quote
Balladeer Posted September 11, 2016 Report Posted September 11, 2016 In any case: "From a Whisper to a Scream" ! A lot to discover - thanks Paul Secor for your recommendations, I ll give this album with Ben Webster a try Quote
soulpope Posted September 11, 2016 Report Posted September 11, 2016 (edited) 2 hours ago, Balladeer said: In any case: "From a Whisper to a Scream" ! Without hesitation YES .... probably known here - as witnessed via some recurring posts of mine - I'm (also) an enthusiastic Soul follower/collector, so believe it's quite telling that "From A Whisper To A Scream" would be in any case part of my "desert island bag" .... the album title giving track alone is worth the ticket of entry with this haunting strings and her broken but oh-so-soulful voice ..... IMO (one of) the best CTI production(s) overall .... Edited September 11, 2016 by soulpope Quote
paul secor Posted September 11, 2016 Report Posted September 11, 2016 "Aged and Mellow Mellow Blues" (with Ben Webster) "Set Me Free" Quote
John L Posted September 12, 2016 Report Posted September 12, 2016 (edited) The mature Esther Phillips can be an acquired taste. The rasp can put you off at first. But the taste is definitely worth acquiring. She could get quite deep and subtle, and carried the whole blues with her at all times. Little Esther Phillips I can take or leave, but Big Esther Phillips is in my constant rotation. Edited September 12, 2016 by John L Quote
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