Customer Reviews

Abbey Is Blue

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Abbey Lincoln is one of the great jazz legends. Unfortunately, there are too many of those... So not all received the same fame as Ella, Billie and Sarah. Since I discovered her, Abbey Lincoln keeps impressing me, and quickly found a place of honour in my music collection. She is one of a kind and an intelligent and creative artist, going more experimental later on in her career. It sure is no coincidence that she worked with so many great musicians!

I liked to read somewhere that she is rather an "actress with a song" than a singer, with her intense, emotive interpretations. As far as I'm concerned, Abbey even beats her hero Billie Holiday a few times (check also Abbey's 1957 album "That's Him", with "Don't Explain" and "My man").

Indeed, "Abbey is blue" (from 1959) is an essential early recording of Abbey Lincoln. Apparently, Abbey Lincoln was the first to record a sung version of the standard "Afro-Blue", a great opener here.
The aching "Let up" reminds me strongly of Nina Simone (which whom she has the political character of her work in common), yet... it was written by Abbey Lincoln herself!
There's more than a few haunting songs on this album (what's in a name?)! "Lost In The Stars", "Brother, Where Are You?", "Laugh, Clown, Laugh", ... fantastic!!
I wonder how many singers could make the very simply arranged "Lonely house" so captivating as this!

High quality blue atmosphere !

No collection of vocal jazz should be without this. Abbey's versions of Kurt Weill's "Lonely House" and especially "Lost in the Stars" are classic. Many of the performances are imbued with the spirit of the times as well; you can't hear this album and not think about the nascent Civil Rights Movement. A deeply moving and human experience.

I had been listening to Billie Holiday a lot before this record came out in March of 1959. My dad was so excited by this voice. His enthusiasm was contagious. Billie's method of jazz singing the blues trained me up for this kind of music and I fell right into this record. Abbey has her own way of jazzing up the blues, quietly here, but you feel the pain, especially on "Let Up". If that song doesn't bring a tear out of you, you're not into this kind of music.

The high point for me on this record is Abbey's rendition of "Laugh, Clown, Laugh". I can't help it, even today when I hear this song, I see Red Skelton and feel what he must have felt when his thirteen-year-old son passed away. I can't quite remember what put that image into my head, but it's a sad one, as is this song and Abbey's voice keeps it that way right up till the last note.

"Come Sunday" is a prayer that will bring more tears, such is the power of Abbey's voice. Fortunately this record ends on an uplifting high note with "Lost in the Stars". After the tears, you need to know that you should "live every minute as long as you're living." Never forget it.

This Record is Number 13 on my list of the Best Thirteen Records of 1959.

This is a great album, only marred by some bad mike placement -- some of the tracks sound like they were recorded in someone's basement.

There is a haunting melancholy undertone to this recording, reflective of the mood in this country at the time; yet, it remains a seminal piece of work by this amazing artist. Abbey Lincoln is essentially a poet, able to translate nuances into song without over-embellishment, and through impeccable phrasing. 'Afro Blue' and Brother, Where Are You?' are probably my favorite tracks but they are all great. I've had the pleasure to see Abbey Lincoln perform twice in the last decade or so, and her artistry only continues to grow. She write much of her material herself. I believe she is one of the great jazz singers and poets of our time.

I was first introduced to Abbey Lincoln through film. I have in my collection "For Love of Ivy" in which she co-stars with Sidney Poitier. Also, "Nothing But a Man" in which she co-stars with Ivan Dixon. The films are timeless pieces. I play them again and again. Sidney and Abbey are FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY in "For Love of Ivy." (Check them out.)

I knew Abbey sang BUT I didn't know how WELL she sang. Smooth, controlled flexible, melodic tones. Lyrics that had/have significance - then and now. If you like jazz, check out the listening samples and add "Abbey is Blue" to your shopping cart. Shirley Horn - may she rest in peace - is another forgotten notable, as well. She sang the opening and closing theme song to "For Love of Ivy." (Her name is nowhere to be found on the credits - at least not on the VHS I purchased.) Broaden your musical palate.

Everything Abbey Lincoln records isawesome! This is one of her best recordings. She is great and that saysit all. I have most of her recordingsand I`m greatly satisfied with themall. She was inspired by Billie Holiday. Need I say More?