[Dixielandjazz] Catherine Russell: "Romance in the Dark" - NPR

[Robert Ringwald]

Catherine Russell: 'In the Dark' and Otherwise
by Marc Silver
NPR's "Song of the Day," January 20, 2012
Catherine Russell has jazz in her genes. Her Panamanian-born father, Luis, played
piano for Louis Armstrong and led his own orchestra; her mother, Carline Ray, is
a bassist, guitarist and vocalist. After a long run as a backup singer, Russell,
55, is still only six years into her solo recording career. With a voice that wails
like a horn and whispers like the snake in the Garden of Eden, she's finally claiming
her place in the pantheon of 21st-century jazz divas.
"Romance in the Dark," from "Strictly Romancin'," shows how strong and sexy Russell
can sound. The song was written in 1940 by the great blueswoman Lil Green -- who
actually toured with Luis Russell's band -- and has been recorded by everyone from
Billie Holiday to Dinah Washington to Norah Jones. Yet the glorious history of "Romance
in the Dark" doesn't intimidate Catherine Russell. She uses her vocal instrument
to play with the simple, sultry lines in unexpected ways: gleefully stretching out
words, fracturing syllables, adding unexpected emphasis. The song feels so personal
and passionate here that it might as well originate with her. With swinging accompaniment
by pianist Mark Shane, Russell shines -- in the dark and otherwise.
Full song:

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=145477523&m=145466843


--Bob Ringwald
www.ringwald.com
Fulton Street Jazz Band
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