Thursday, October 5, 2023
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
LORRAINE FEATHER – The Body Remembers (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Lorraine Feather, the daughter of the late jazz critic Leonard Feather, has performed many styles of music, but this unusual CD mixes elements of several of them. This release began life as Paper or Plastic, issued by another label with a different cover photo. After the label folded, it was remixed and issued by Bean Bag as The Body Remembers, though the second label also ceased operations not long after the new version of the CD was issued. Feather's sexy voice and often witty lyrics are appealing, though the music, with distracting programming and repetitious vamps, does little to complement them. In addition to providing her own backing vocals, Feather switches to narrative voice on several tracks. The best songs include "Very Unbecoming" and the hilarious "Where Are My Keys," songs that will hit home with many listeners. While the overall effect of the CD pales besides her superior releases New York City Drag and Café Society from a few years later, her catchy lyrics make it worth looking for. Although it is out of print, The Body Remembers is still available for purchase from the artist at www.lorrainefeather.com. Ken Dryden Tracklist + Credits :
LORRAINE FEATHER – New York City Drag (2000) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Lorraine Feather (daughter of critic Leonard Feather) has made her mark as a lyricist and singer, with her former group, Full Swing, and also in non-jazz settings. New York City Drag is certainly a major change of pace, for she is featured singing a set of Fats Waller songs. Not heard are the usual Waller standards such as "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Ain't Misbehavin'" because this set is something much different. Feather wrote lyrics to a dozen of Waller's piano pieces, including "Blue Black Bottom," "Numb Fumblin'," "Valentine Stomp," "African Ripples," and other tunes that had never been sung before. She created stories to each of the songs, changing the titles and turning them into fascinating narratives. Fortunately, her appealing voice is strong enough to essay the tricky intervals, and one can always understand what she is singing. Particularly delightful are her words to "The Minor Drag" ("You're Outta Here"), "Gladyse" ("She's Gettin' Some"), "Clothes Line Ballet" ("New York City Drag"), and "Fractious Fingering" ("Jukebox"). Accompanied by either Dick Hyman or Mike Lang on piano, along with occasional quiet rhythm guitar from John Pisano, plus sometimes bass and drums, Lorraine Feather is heard on the most significant album of her career. And on "Cezanne," she is joined by Fats Waller himself via his recording of "Smashing Thirds." Waller would have thoroughly enjoyed this inspired and highly original set. Scott Yanow Tracklist + Credits :