Traveling Miles

Cassandra Wilson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 23, 1999)
• Original Release Date: March 23, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B00000I8UE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  DVD Audio  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,281 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #100 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Vocal Jazz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Attention Required On This Journey..Rewarding Result, October 6, 2000

By 

Lance G. Rigley (Brisbane, Queensland Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Traveling Miles (Audio CD)

As I grow older and demand something more interesting and innovative to listen to ,yet produce a rewarding result,I am constantly prepared to persevere with something conceptual and unusual.This tribute to Miles Dewey Davis, and a showcase to the talent and ambition of Ms Wilson,is just such a recording. From the outset this is an adult work,at times not quite hitting the mark,but bursting with genuine emotion and interpretative understanding that Miles would have surely approved.

I would recommend that this CD be listened to at least four or five times before passing any form of judgement..in fact it is playing as I type this review.It is a multi layered and complicated and yet at times jazzy and delicate, being a showcase for Ms Wilson's at times,*whiskey and cigarette* voice and at other times husky and melancholy delivery.At all times her vocals are interesting,and I note a pleasing duet with another great voice,Angelique Kidjo,on the final cut,Voodoo Reprise.Ms Wilson 's range is substantial and hynotic on this CD.I will, with relish, listen to her previous recordings of jazz standards and blues influenced material,for a further fix.

The CD opens with one of the stronger tracks,Run The Voodoo Down,and closes with a Reprise.The music of Miles Davis is complimented by the lyrics of Ms Wilson perfectly and this is an interpretive funky fusion of Afro beats and deep earthy vocals which set a pace that is continued throughout the CD.In fact praise should be given to the musicians on this CD,especially to the percussion and base credits of Lonnie Plaxico on acoustic base on most tracks and Jeffrey Haynes on percussion.It is pleasing to see a jazz artist stretch the boundaries and include mandolin,greek bazouki,harmonica,and an assortment of guitar variations.The result is not always consistent and lends to the listener overcoming a wave of acoustic string and jazz rock fusion sounds played at frantic pace on some tracks and then a slowing of the pace to a more melancholy jazz or blues feel.

My overall assessment is that this CD is a worthy addition to your collection.I recommend to you the beautiful interpretation of the Cyndi Lauper written,*Time After Time*with its soft emotional and melancholy delivery.I believe that this version ranks with the excellent interpretation of Eva Cassidy,and makes this song one of the truely great vehicles for interpretive singing in the last 20 years.There are the interpretations of Tutu and Blue in Green,Resurrection Blues and Sky and Sea,which are innovative and ambitious deliveries,worthy of contunal plays. The soft and sensual jazz delivery of the former gives way to a more acoustic interpretation of the later.I would also recommend Piper as a pleasing track. The Afro almost middle east feel that permeates through the later half of the CD,coupled with Ms Wilson's jazz influenced voice makes listening to this a rewarding experience.Whether listened to alone or with another,give yourself time to appreciate this music and you will find it growing on you.If you love percussion based music this is equally a delight.

This does require your undivided attention for the initial listenings and is something savoured.It is not easy listening,but it is different, adult and rewarding,and after the final track has played you must remember that it was dedicated to a true innovator of modern music whose music required you to earn the joy it provided. I give this 4 stars which will probably rise to 5 as I appreciate it more.Call it a workout for your senses...get fit!!!!!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars close your eyes and feel this one!, February 6, 2000

By 

don prioleau (APO, AE Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Traveling Miles (Audio CD)

Excellent tribute to my favorite artist, Miles Dewey Davis. This is music that you listen to in the dark, from another room with your eyes closed and you take this beautiful voyage riding on the deep and soulful voice of Cassandra Wilson. She flows so well and reaches deep inside and when you do open your eyes, it is only to put this CD on repeat and succumb to her entrancing voice. "Sky and Sea"(Blue and Green) is outstanding and her cover of "Time after time" had to impress Cyndy Lauper and definetly make Miles smile. One to keep in the carousel.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I learned to appreciate it, May 17, 2000

By 

MarvelousMarla "MarvyM" (Way down in Dixie) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Traveling Miles (Audio CD)

I've been a fan of Cassandra Wilson's song stylings since I picked up Blue Skies, a album of jazz standards. Her smoky alto and impeccable delivery were magnificent and made me a fan forever. I will admit that it took some time for Traveling Miles to grow on me. I love her voice and would listen to her sing just about anything, but I wasn't feeling this CD immediately -- it seemed a little skittish what with her eclectic influences. But I soon realized that her eclectic sensibilities are what makes her one of my favorite artists.