#OnRepeat: Cécile McLorin Salvant's "John Henry"

This week, I've had Cécile McLorin Savant's "John Henry," #OnRepeat. I always love discovering new vocalists who utilize their whole voice; it's refreshing to listen to a knowledgeable vocalist.

Cécile McLorin Savant is a singer-songwriter from Miami, Florida. She has studied classical voice and improvisation, spending a lot of time in France. Her music focuses mostly on unique interpretations of rare Jazz and Blues pieces, singing in English, French, and Spanish. I can't believe I haven't heard of Cécile before now; she received Grammy nominations in 2014 and 2015 for Best Jazz Vocal Album and she has several albums out already. Cécile also won the Thelonious Monk competition in 2010, a prestigious award for many aspiring, young musicians.

"John Henry" is a song based off the tall tale of John Henry, the African American folk hero who had the job of hammering drills into rock to make holes for explosives to make room for railroad building. The legend goes that John Henry's skill and strength is put to the test in a race against a steam-powered hammer; a competition which he won, but ultimately also killed him because his heart gave out from the immense work. Cécile conveys the ballad of John Henry perfectly, accessing the heavier, lower part of her range to imitate John Henry's speech and adding licks and riffs that are stylistic of a bluesy, folk song. The ease at which she uses space, phrasing, and range to convey musical messages is at times staggering and something that many vocalists aspire to. I encourage anyone who is looking for ways in which to access all parts of their range and voice to use Cécile's album, Woman Child, (along with all of her other music) as a good listening to reference.

Take a listen below:

Do you have a new musician or group that you can't get enough of? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat: Halie Loren's "Butterfly"

This week, I've had Halie Loren's "Butterfly" #OnRepeat. I just recently discovered this artist while at work (I love being in a place where you're exposed to new music all the time).

Halie Loren is a singer-songwriter who is originally from Alaska (not something you hear everyday), but moved to Oregon. She has won multiple awards for songwriting and some of her most well-known songs are "Thirsty," "C'est Si Bon," and "Sisters Song."

The song, "Butterfly," is a song about facing challenges and transforming because of those challenges. Loren's voice is reminiscent of Billie Holiday and even Norah Jones; her music blends Rock, Blues, Jazz, and elements of R&B music. Her performance style and lyrics give an air of being an "old soul" and her voice is a great blend of crisp clarity with sultry raspiness. However, I really admire her lyric writing for its elements of imagery and warm undertones. This song was beautifully arranged as well; the musical accompaniment compliments the lyrics very well.

Take a listen below:

Do you have any artists or groups whose lyrics inspire you? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat: Marisa Monte"s "Dança da Solidão"

This week, I've had Marisa Monte"s version of "Dança da Solidão" #OnRepeat. I've been recently getting back into listening to Brazilian music and I think this is the perfect vocalist to reintroduce myself back into the music with.

Marisa Monte is a singer from Brazil who sings mostly Pop and Rock music (Música Popular Brasileira). Her music is eclectic and distinct, and you can tell--Monte was classically trained, yet grew up around the sounds of the Portela samba school. She also plays ukulele, cavaquinho, and guitar while she sings. Much of her music blends popular musical influences such as Rock, Pop, and Blues, with that of traditional Afro-Brazilian musics such as Forro and Samba. Some of her most well-known songs are "Nú Com A Minha Música"and "Aquele Abraço."  

"Dança da Solidão" was originally composed by Paulinho da Viola, a famous Brazilian singer/songwriter who also played guitar, mandolin, and cavaquinho. The song talks about the solitude of dance and disappointment that comes with life and love. My interpretation of the words were that dance, like solitude, were the only things that could bring happiness and contentment, but then again, I'm not fluent in Portuguese and I didn't write the song. Either way, Monte's interpretation of this piece is absolutely haunting--the voicings that she chooses to play on her instrument and her choice of vibrato placement and embellishment adds just the right amount to this already beautiful song.

Take a listen below:

Are there any new artists or groups that you can't stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

Too Much or Too Little?:The Art of Musical Taste in Singing

One great thing about the holidays is all of the great holiday music that you get to listen to and all of the different interpretations of these holiday classics. Hey, I'm a vocalist and I love the holiday season--this was bound to be brought up at one point or another. Lately, I've found myself trying to actively listen to the music that I've been exposed to in regards to the musical taste of the musician or musicians performing.

What is taste?
The term isn't normally something that is referred to when you talk about your favorite vocalist or band with others, though it is something that you talk about, unknowingly.  Many musicians take about this on a daily basis, but coming up with an actual definition can be tricky since it is so hard to define. For the purpose of this post, though, here is a basic definition. Taste is each individual's musical instinct--when to add vocal affectations, dynamics, inflections on certain words, how you interact with different members of your band or audience, etc--that gives that musician their own unique sound or quality. This can differ slightly from song to song, set, or performance, but that underlying quality is always present. So, in other words, taste is choosing what and what isn't appropriate for each musical situation.

I believe that the most successful singers out there know just when and how to add the right amount of affectation, dynamics, or vocal riffs to their performance. Some of the most successful performers have made their career on exaggerating certain elements of their singing or performance--Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Madonna. However, there are also some very successful singers who stuck to their guns when it came to developing their own taste and sound: James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Prince.


Too Little or Too Much?

Knowing when to add that extra note, hold a note longer than expected, or even add inflection on a word that normally wouldn't have any in a phrase is tricky.

1. Does it feel forced? If it doesn't feel comfortable, then it's probably too much. That being said, if you've never really performed, or even sung before, everything you try might feel weird. Which leads me to my next point.

2. Listen & Experiment. Find multiple versions of the song you're working on and take what you like from the singers you admire. Everyone copies or emulates others. After practicing the affectations or riffs that you've heard, try adding (or subtracting) your own ideas. Eventually, you'll find your own unique sound.

3. Remember that you're trying to connect and convey a message. First, try speaking the words before you sing them. What words do you put more emphasis on? Where do you naturally pause while speaking the words? Remember that, ultimately, you are trying to connect to others; to convey a message.

What musicians or groups do you think have great musical taste? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat: Ennio Morricone & Yo Yo Ma's The Mission film score "The Falls" and "Gabriel's Oboe"

This week I've had Ennio Morricone's pieces "The Falls" and "Gabriel's Oboe" from the film, The Mission, performed by Yo Yo Ma, #OnRepeat. I know I usually write about vocalists for the #OnRepeat posts, but once in awhile, instrumental pieces come along that are just so good that I have to let everybody know about it.

Ennio Morricone is a composer, conductor, arranger, and trumpet player from Rome, Italy. He has composed music for several films including The Untouchables, The Thing, Mission to Mars, The Holiday, and most recently, The Hateful Eight. He has won multiple Grammy Awards, Golden Globes, and countless other awards for his film score work.

Yo Yo Ma is a world-renowned cellist that gained fame as both a soloist and orchestral performer. He has won multiple Grammy Awards and plays in many different styles, collaborating with artists such as Celine Dion, Bobby McFerrin, and even the Dixie Chicks, and even several contemporary dancers.

Yo Yo Ma's recordings of "The Falls" and "Gabriel's Oboe" are from his collaborative album with Ennio Morricone, which features many of Morricone's most loved and well-known compositions. These two pieces in particular are from the 1986 movie, The Mission, which tells the story of a Spanish Jesuit missionary who travels to the rainforests of Argentina and Paraguay to build a mission and convert a Guaraní village to the religion of Christianity. It is a great movie displaying themes of redemption and faith. These themes are conveyed strongly in this piece and in Yo Yo Ma's playing. I encourage everyone to watch the movie and listen to Morricone's pieces below:

Is there a new composer or performer that you can't stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat: Natalie Cole & Whitney Houston's "Bridge Over Troubled Water"

This week, I've had Natalie Cole and Whitney Houston's version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." As some of you may have heard, Natalie Cole passed away on New Year's Day, so I've been reminiscing and listening to her music for the past couple days.

I know that for many, names like Natalie Cole and Whitney Houston need no introduction, but this post is for those who are unaware of who these great performers are. Natalie Cole is a singer-songwriter, who is also the daughter of the famous crooner, Nat King Cole. Natalie recorded many of her father's classic hits, including, "Unforgettable," and also had some of her own well-known songs, like "This Will Be," "Our Love," and "Inseparable." Whitney Houston is also a singer as well as an actress, model, and producer. I remember Whitney Houston from her role in the movie, The Bodyguard, and her single from the soundtrack, "I Will Always Love You." However, she is also well-known for songs like "How Will I Know" "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," "I'm Your Baby Tonight," and "I Wanna Run to You."

This version of the Simon & Garfunkel song was improvised; not planned. However, these two women make the performance seem rehearsed.  This simplistic song has a gospel hymn vibe with lyrics that have a universal appeal. Cole and Houston's vocal licks, their musical dynamics, and projection cause anyone who listens to feel inspired. Natalie Cole's natural R&B style of singing brings a nice contrast to Whitney Houston's "powerhouse singing" (wide range, dynamics, and almost melismatic singing), providing a unique blend for this classic song.

Listen below:

Is there a song, musician, or group that you can't stop listening to? Leave a comment below!

#OnRepeat: Leon Redbone & Zoey Deschanel's "Baby It's Cold Outside"

This week, I've had Leon Redbone and Zoey Deschanel's version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" #OnRepeat. Christmas is in two days and I've been watching the movie, Elf, non-stop for the past couple days, so I can't get this song out of my head.

Zoey Deschanel is an American singer-songwriter and actress who started gaining attention after her role in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Some of her other well-known films are Bridge to Terabithia, Surf's Up, Yes Man, and Elf. I first took notice of her voice in the movie, Elf, because it reminded me of jazz singers from the 1940's and 1950's--Zoey's voice is very reminiscent of Billy Holiday and Rosemary Clooney.

Leon Redbone is a Canadian American singer-songwriter who performs mostly jazz and blues standards. I wasn't aware of Redbone until his work with Zoey Deschanel, but he has also performed the theme song for the television sitcom, Harry and the Hendersons and voiced the character of Leon the Snowman in the movie, Elf, as well


This version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" just makes you want to cuddle up in front of a fireplace with a coffee and a book--at least it does for me. Zoey and Leon's voices compliment each other very well while the drummer plays brushes at a slow pace with bass and piano. It's a Christmas classic given a Jazz spin. Take a listen below:

Are there any actresses/actors that you know that have shed new light on an old standard? Leave a comment below!