When I found out that the big upset of the Grammys was that the Beib-ster lost out on the Best New Artist to a relatively unheard of, yet oh-so-talented jazz singer, I sat up and took notice. And it sounds like pre-teen girls can get pretty intense about their new obsession not winning, so much so that I heard that the winner's Wiki page was hijacked by crazed fans of the Beiber. That made me more intrigued.
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| {Esperanza Spaulding - check out the chunky fun jewelry she wears! I want to make something just for her. I think she would dig my Bead Soup concoction ;-} |
I saw a video of her singing on stage with just that bass. It was mesmerizing watching her. I ordered her self-titled debut album from 2008.
It is heavy on the jazz. The kind of wild, frenetic ride that is popular in jazz clubs all over Chicago. Some of it has a very cultural, tribal influence, and I am not even sure what language she might be singing in some of them (Spanish?). It takes my ears some getting used to listening to this sort of jazz, because I have to get past the dissonance and competition that the instruments engage in to really hear the music. I won't lie, it is an acquired taste.
But there are gems on this album.
I like the ones that are more melodic, where I can discern the words and feel the journey that she is taking us on with her music. I also especially love good harmonies (because I sing along with her at the top of my lungs in the car ;-).
What I love about her is that she just oozes pure talent and cool. She feels the music and is one with her instrument. I have always thought that those who can sing and play something at the same time are truly talented.
I am smitten with the sound and the lyrics of the song "Precious." See if you feel the same. (Scroll down to view a video of this song performed live.)
Love me or leave me
But please
Don't deceive me
And say you
Love me how I am
You love the way
I fit some ideal
Not the real woman
You've yet to understand
See love ain't all heaven
And I am no angel
But I do the best I can
You always wanted
Something more from my body
And said you needed
Something more from my loving
But all you got was me
And that's all that I can be
I'm sorry if it let you down
Now it's no nice excuse
But all the magic was used
Up on trying to uphold
Some kind of tame
Flattering persona
That soon enough
Was getting real old
It takes more than pressure
To change rock to diamond
Now all you have is sand
Slipping through your fingers
You always wanted
Something more from my body
And said you needed
Something more from my loving
But all you got was me
And that's all that I can be
I'm sorry if it let you down
But I'm not gonna sit around
And waste
My precious divine energy
Trying to explain
And being ashamed of things
You think are wrong with me
I'm not gonna sit around
And waste
My precious divine energy
Trying to explain
And being ashamed
Of what you think
Is wrong with me
Set you up
You say I set you up
Like I was different
Than what I am
Offering you now
And drug your heart around
Did you forget about
All of the love
And the acceptance
That you promised me too?
You always wanted
Something more from my body
And said you needed
Something more from my loving
But all you got was me
And that's all that I can be
I'm sorry if it let you down
You always wanted
Something more from my body
And said you needed
Something more from my loving
But all you got was me
And that's all that I can be
I'm sorry if it let you down
But I'm not gonna sit around
And waste
My precious divine energy
Trying to explain
And being ashamed of things
You think are wrong with me
Me, I'm not gonna sit around
And waste
My precious divine energy
Trying to explain
And being ashamed
Of what you think is wrong
With melt let you down
What do you think of Esperanza?
What artists are you listening to?
Is there a song that has gripped your soul and haunts you?
What is it that gets ahold of you... the lyrics? the melodies? the harmonies?
Do tell!
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