jazzbo Posted June 20, 2007 Report Posted June 20, 2007 About five years ago I picked up an Enja cd that was part of a series of recordings that Duke Ellington had produced in 1963 in Paris for the Reprise label, but had never been released until the late nineties. It was Sathima Bea Benjamin backed by her husband Dollar Brand and his trio, and Duke and Billy Strayhorn, and the wonderful violinist Sven Asmussen also appeared backing Sathima. I bought the cd because of Duke, and I loved the cd because of Samitha. I had never heard her voice before, and although I knew Dollar Brand's later work, I had not expected what I heard and it really took me many listens to grasp the true beauty of this work and for it to work its magic on me. . . . Since that time I've found some other works by Sathima and have to say that these albums are ones that I can reach for and be soothed. Art Blakey has spoken of jazz "washing away the dust of everyday life" (I'm paraphrasing) and if so. . . the recordings I have that Sathima has made contain some powerful (ecofriendly!) detergents! I've been stuck lately on "Musical Echoes", which is a very well produced, very well arranged, and very well performed cd that happens to also sound fabulous. It's also available on eMusic as a download, and as such is one of the real audio bargains. Two other recordings are also available on eMusic: http://www.emusic.com/artist/Sathima.../10555365.html I know there is ONE big fan and actual associate of Sathima's on the AAJ board. . . . Any orgers wish to chime in as fans? Quote
JSngry Posted June 21, 2007 Report Posted June 21, 2007 I'm a big fan of hers. Haven't heard anything that was less than excellent. She's a very soulful singer, not in the American R&B-ish meaning of "Soul", but in the sense of feeling live on a deep level, recognizing the pitfalls and darkness as well as the beauties, and bringing it all to the music in a blend that denies neither at the expense of the other. I will pretty much buy anything by her on sight, although as with her husband, I don't have nearly as much of her work as I should. That Ellington-produced date and two Enjas, are, about it. But I've heard more and, yeah, she's somebody special. Quote
Shawn Posted June 21, 2007 Report Posted June 21, 2007 Lon, I seem to remember listening to that session at your house not long after you got it. I'll check out those emusic sides. Quote
jazzbo Posted June 21, 2007 Author Report Posted June 21, 2007 I do believe your memory is correct Shawn! Jim, yes, soulful, in a totally different way than we often use the term. She gets right at the heart of songs somehow. Her manager is working hard to make her presence on the scene and in the legacy more known. I'm hoping he'll continue to make her remaining titles available digitally if not in aluminum cd form. Quote
jazztrain Posted June 21, 2007 Report Posted June 21, 2007 Coincidentally, I received an e-mail (to which I have no access at the moment) yesterday indicating that Sathima Bea Benjamin plans to make all of her recordings available in a digital format (presumably via download?) later this year. I'll post the information later if possible. About five years ago I picked up an Enja cd that was part of a series of recordings that Duke Ellington had produced in 1963 in Paris for the Reprise label, but had never been released until the late nineties. It was Sathima Bea Benjamin backed by her husband Dollar Brand and his trio, and Duke and Billy Strayhorn, and the wonderful violinist Sven Asmussen also appeared backing Sathima. I bought the cd because of Duke, and I loved the cd because of Samitha. I had never heard her voice before, and although I knew Dollar Brand's later work, I had not expected what I heard and it really took me many listens to grasp the true beauty of this work and for it to work its magic on me. . . . Since that time I've found some other works by Sathima and have to say that these albums are ones that I can reach for and be soothed. Art Blakey has spoken of jazz "washing away the dust of everyday life" (I'm paraphrasing) and if so. . . the recordings I have that Sathima has made contain some powerful (ecofriendly!) detergents! I've been stuck lately on "Musical Echoes", which is a very well produced, very well arranged, and very well performed cd that happens to also sound fabulous. It's also available on eMusic as a download, and as such is one of the real audio bargains. Two other recordings are also available on eMusic: http://www.emusic.com/artist/Sathima.../10555365.html I know there is ONE big fan and actual associate of Sathima's on the AAJ board. . . . Any orgers wish to chime in as fans? Quote
jazzbo Posted June 21, 2007 Author Report Posted June 21, 2007 Right, that's basically what it says on her official website. Good news, as about half of her work hasn't really appeared digitally officially. And I'm eager to hear what I haven't. Quote
Shawn Posted June 21, 2007 Report Posted June 21, 2007 ...And I'm eager to hear what I haven't. Without a doubt, that is one of the "universal truths of Lon" ever since I've known him! Quote
jazzbo Posted June 21, 2007 Author Report Posted June 21, 2007 NO kidding. . . Even massive debt doesn't deter me! Quote
_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.