Destination Moon

Deborah Cox | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000ND91U4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,570 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Those who don't know any better are apt to dismiss Deborah Cox as another R&B/dance diva determined to cling to the spotlight by whatever means necessary, including a giant genre-leap. Those who've been listening carefully, though, will check their doubts at Destination Moon's door. On this, her fourth disc, Cox sidles up to jazz--the jazz of her role model Dinah Washington--with subtlety and surefooted grace; along the way, she makes something of a masterpiece. From classics such as the title track to lesser-known but deeply felt compositions such as "I Don't Hurt Anymore," she avoids the temptation to rub a modern sheen over these songs and settles contentedly into the mood Washington carved for them instead. "This Bitter Earth" gets the "mm-hmm" treatment Dinah delivered so well, and "Misery" and "New Blowtop Blues" don't dream of belying their blueswoman roots. Best of all are the more delicate tracks: "Look to the Rainbow" captivates with a contemplative sadness, and "Blue Skies" is a natural wonder as beautiful as a dose of pure azure on a cloudless day. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

Platinum-selling recording artist Deborah Cox reinterprets the classic songs of Dinah Washington on her Decca debut, Destination Moon. Destination Moon thrusts the R&B/dance diva into whole new territory, showcasing her range and scope as an artist capable of tackling jazz, blues and "big-band" with ease and confidence. Deborah Cox's first exposure to Washington came very early, when she was a little girl. "I first became aware of Dinah when I was growing up, when I was about 8 or 9 years old" she says. "A lot of jazz was played about the house. I heard my mother playing a 45 of "This Bitter Earth" -- this first song I had ever heard from Dinah. It was the richness and the tonality of her voice that I gravitated to." For the arrangements and the production, Deborah turned to the highly-versatile New York-based music man Rob Mounsey, whose credits with such diverse performers include Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett to name a few. The record was made live in the studio, with 40 musicians in the same room with her, playing and singing in real time under Mounsey's direction. "I'm doing this to broaden people's awareness of what I can do and also for the sheer love of her music." As a result, Deborah's homage to Dinah Washington does not lean overwhelmingly toward one particular style. It was designed from the beginning to be a compendium of several of Dinah's idioms - the big-band swing of "All Of Me" and "Destination Moon," swaggering R&B ("I Don't Hurt Anymore)," the blues that earned her the misleading nickname "Queen of the Blues" ("Misery," "New Blowtop Blues"), the lush ballads that put her on the jukeboxes of Middle America ("What A Diff'rence A Day Made," "This Bitter Earth").

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing departure from the beautiful Deborah Cox, June 20, 2007

By 

Richard Walker "ideasasopiates" (Mesa, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Destination Moon (Audio CD)

When most people think of Deborah Cox, they immediately think of the diva of club anthems (Absolutely Not, Nobody's Supposed To Be Here, Something Happened On The Way To Heaven)--the woman with a voice that makes you want to dance all night long. When I first learned of Destination Moon, I had my reservations. Then, once I'd heard some track clips that were posted on her official website, I knew I was going to love this cd. Sure enough, Deborah Cox breathes new life into the songs (some classics, some not) of the legendary Dinah Washington. Her voice is so pure and rich, the songs so soothing--I imagine (or, rather, would like to think) that her (Ms. Cox) legions of younger fans will look deeper into the discography of the great Ms. Washington, and discover for themselves an entirely different style of music which was--and still is--jazz at its best.

Kudos to the incredible Deborah Cox. This cd has found a permanent place in my ipod. (Favourite tracks include the title track, Destination Moon, and the hauntingly beautiful Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.)

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is one of the top CD of this Year!!!, June 20, 2007

By 

Gregory Ashe (bowling green, ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Destination Moon (Audio CD)

This CD is Amazing!!! Deborah Cox vocals are outstanding! I was very surprised to hear that she had a new CD release. They should be promoting this album like crazy. At first i heard that this was a throwback album so i wasn't sure how to take this but i went and purchased it anyway and i'm amazed at her depth of talent. Her Phrasing is just perfect and the live instrument just add to the excitement of the music. I would have to say that this is the top album released this year as a tribute.
Also check out Amel Larrieux new CD its the same kind of music. I love it!
Enjoy and reccomend!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deborah Does Dinah By Way Of Dianne, August 4, 2007

By 

Rick Cornell "RC" (Reno, Nv USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Destination Moon (Audio CD)

I was completely unfamiliar with Deborah Cox before purchasing this c.d. Considering that she hadn't released a c.d.in 3 years, this oversight was somewhat understandable.

It's an oversight that will be no more.

After about 16 bars, the comparison of Deborah Cox with Dianne Reeves was undeniable. Meaning, first of all, if you love Dianne Reeves (and if you don't, what in the hell is wrong with you?!), most assuredly you will love Deborah Cox. (This c.d. also compares very favorably with the more famous Gladys Knight's c.d., "Before Me", of 2006)

This is a tribute album to Dinah Washington, and Ms. Cox is every bit the singer that the late, great Ms. Washington was. Whether singing jazz (a great version of Harry Warren's "September in the Rain"), soul ("Misery") blues ("New Blowtop Blues", my favorite on this c.d.) or cabaret (a show-stopping rendition of the great torch song, "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes"), Ms. Cox has impressive chops to display, and display them she does.

And a huge thumbs up to Rob Mounsey, the producer, arranger, pianist, and assistant recording engineer. This c.d. just sounds fabulous. Although the arrangements at time threaten to be a bit slick, overblown and familiar, they never cross the line. Mr. Mounsey deserves mention in the same breath with John Clayton, Jr.

More importantly, Ms. Cox (like Ms. Reeves) has a huge voice, and thus she works best with a lot of sound behind her. Ms. Cox sounds like a class act, and based on the photos in the liner notes, looks like one, too.

If [...] had a 4 and 1/2 star rating, that's where I'd end up. This is, after all, old wine in new bottles. There's nothing here I haven't heard before. But what an impressive new bottle this is! 5 stars, just for that. RC