Turned to Blue

Nancy Wilson (Jazz) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 22, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mcg Jazz
• ASIN: B000GNOSH2
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,370 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

On her follow-up to the 2005 Grammy winner (for Best Jazz Vocal Album)R.S.V.P. (Rare Songs, Very Personal), classic jazz singer Nancy Wilson takes it nice and easy. Overall, it would have been nice to get more tracks with the "All Star Big Band," which percolates beautifully on Duke Ellington's "Take Love Easy" and Vernon Duke's "Taking a Chance on Love." The joy with which Wilson surfs over these arrangements is infectious and allows the listener to overlook the occasional roughness of breathing and pitch. The rest of the album is more subdued and less winning. The title track sets Maya Angelou's poem "My Life Has Turned to Blue" to music, with soft Latin-jazz inflections punctuated by marimba (a sly nod to Angelou's own calypso recordings of the 1950s?) At the other extreme, a cover of "Just Once," a track popularized by Quincy Jones and James Ingram, veers dangerously toward Lite FM territory. It should be noted that fans of tenor-sax playing will enjoy distinct solo spots by Bob Mintzer, James Moody, Tom Scott, Andy Snitzer, and Jimmy Heath. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Product Description

Turned To Blue is a classic representation of Nancy Wilson showcasing the full spectrum of experiences that come with a five decade career in entertainment. The legendary songstress delivers a story through ballads as only she can, premieres unparalleled treatments of new songs and swings with a big band harking back to her days with Cannonball Adderley and the Billy May Orchestra. There is something for everyone on Turned To Blue.

Set for worldwide release on August 22, 2006, on the MCG Jazz label, this collection of songs tells a story that portrays our basic nature to love so deeply, despite the inevitable human struggle with love’s power. Wilson illustrates the many expressions of love, ranging from powerful lost love to hopeful yearning for new love, as depicted through new arrangements of the 1940s classics �"Be My Love,�" �"I’ll Be Seeing You�" and �"This Is All I Ask.�" The hard driving, swinging big band songs – �"Take Love Easy,�" �"Taking A Chance On Love,�" and �"Old Folks�" – reflect the lighter side of love.

The title track, �"Turned To Blue,�" is a musical version of �"My Life Has Turned To Blue,�" a poem by Dr. Maya Angelou, former Poet Laureate for the United States.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MISS WILSON NEVER MISSES, August 25, 2006

By 

G. Davidson "A Big Fan" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Turned to Blue (Audio CD)

Miss Wilson is my favorite singer -- there are no exceptions -- so if you're looking for critical words you can stop right here. On this album she puts her unique style and charm to several new tunes (my favorite is "Knitting Class") but most stellar is her version of "Taking a Chance on Love," on which she makes the most of her lower register (which has always been stellar and wonderful). This song, and some others on recent CDs, are from the "old school," as if Miss Wilson FINALLY decided to sing some of the stand-bys, as if clearing up some old "to do" lists. We are the beneficiaries. I'm grateful she continues to record, but I miss very much her live performances.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Class of Her Own, September 4, 2006

By 

J.D. Hearne - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turned to Blue (Audio CD)

Another bouquet of haunting tunes -- Nancy remains in a class by herself. What she does with every line and measure and nuance is something quite special. She is simply the best in the business.

19 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Time to Retire, December 9, 2006

By 

Bill Shea "Bill" (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Turned to Blue (Audio CD)

As an ardent fan of Nancy Wilson for 43 years, I've always looked forward to each of her new recordings. As noted elsewhere on this site, I feel her Grammy winning RSVP was probably her best recording ever. Period. Turned to Blue? I'm amazed at how much her voice has deteriotated in just three years. Time to hang up the vocal chords, Nancy.