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Blue Skies

Artist: Cassandra Wilson
Label: Polygram Records
Category: Music

Buy New: $14.98

New (12) Used (18) from $2.98

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

5 reviews
Sales Rank: 144820

Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5

UPC: 042283441927
EAN: 0422834419276
ASIN: B00000476M

Release Date: October 25, 1990
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

Tracks:

•	Shall We Dance? - Cassandra Wilson, Rodgers, Richard
•	Polka Dots and Moonbeams - Cassandra Wilson, Burke, Johnny
•	I've Grown Accustomed to His Face - Cassandra Wilson, Loewe, Frederick
•	I Didn't Know What Time It Was - Cassandra Wilson, Rodgers, Richard
•	Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You - Cassandra Wilson, Redman, Don
•	I'm Old Fashioned - Cassandra Wilson, Kern, Jerome
•	Sweet Lorraine - Cassandra Wilson, Burwell, Carter
•	My One and Only Love - Cassandra Wilson, Wood, Guy
•	Autumn Nocturne - Cassandra Wilson, Myrow, Josef
•	Blue Skies - Cassandra Wilson, Berlin, Irving

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com essential recording
Cassandra Wilson has convincingly argued that all American popular music displays one fundamental aspect of the jazz tradition: a delight in taking songs--from the simplest to most profound--and recombining them into idiosyncratic form. That includes standards such as those she lolls into on this 1988 release--"Polka Dots and Moonbeams," "I Didn't Know What Time It Was," "My One and Only Love," and others. Underpinning these performances is an intriguing world-weariness, often of slightly sad (dare one say, postcoital) drowsiness. Wilson's sultry contralto augments that bold inflection, which impresses from the opening moments of the well-worn, usually more flirtatious "Shall We Dance." The straight-up support of Mulgrew Miller (piano), Lonnie Plaxico (bass), and Terri Lyne Carrington (drums) provides Wilson an unobtrusive foundation. --Peter Monaghan

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars

Not One Of Wilson's Best June 25, 2008
Cassandra Wilson singing jazz standards is kind of appealing on the surface, but a closer listen will reveal that this is actually not what she's good at doing. I wouldn't call her a "jazz" singer anyway, because for me, Shirley Horn was the best female jazz vocalist of all-time.

Wilson does show an impressive range with these selections, but again, I don't think this is her forte at all. The musicians are great: Mulgrew Miller, Lonnie Plexico, and Terri Lynne Carrington. They are all fantastic, but Wilson's voice simply does not fit into this kind of setting.

I think anyone interested in Cassandra Wilson should check out "New Moon Daughter," which as far as I'm concerned is her best recording.

4 out of 5 stars

The Cassandra Wilson Album for Jazz Fans Who Don't Like Cassandra Wilson May 17, 2008
It's easy to think of Cassandra Wilson as a "young" singer, although she's now on the north side of 50. Ms Wilson is always in transition - the fact that you liked her last album is no guarantee that you'll like her next. With "Blue Skies," Ms Wilson left M-Base funk, made a hard right turn, and produced an album of standards. If you like Ms Wilson's voice, but can't stand her durge-like pacing, afro-cuban instrumentation and eclectic song selection, "Blue Skies" is the album for you. Recorded in 1988, in front of an excellent trio, (Mulgrew Miller, piano; Lonnie Plaxico, base; and Terri Carrington, drums), "Blue Skies" showcases Ms Wilson's deep, burnished alto voice on cuts like "Shall We Dance," "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You," and, of course, "Blue Skies." If you have any doubt that Ms Wilson can sing "conventional" jazz, "Blue Skies" will put an end to it. And unfortunately, if this album gets your motor running, (as it does mine), you'll have to look hard to find her doing anything like it since. The "Sings Standards" album, released in 2002, includes four of the "Blue Skies" songs, along with standards culled from other later albums, but that's about it. Nobody doesn't have an opinion about Ms Wilson. She either intrigues you, or makes you crazy. If you like her voice and love the standards repertoire, "Blue Skies" is for you.

5 out of 5 stars

Truly Magnificent Work May 17, 2000
25 out of 25 found this review helpful

I once read an interview with Cassandra Wilson where she said that she didn't want to be a traditional jazz singer because she associated this with wearing gowns and being all ladylike and proper. I read that so long ago that I don't remember the exact words, but that's the gist of her objection. That interview took place years after she recorded Blue Skies, an album of jazz standards. As much as I appreciate the way Ms. Wilson draws upon a variety of influences such that her work now transcends categorization, I would love to hear her do more CDs like this one -- straight up jazz.

I stumbled across Blue Skies in the used Jazz section at Kemp Mill. I can't help but wonder who in the world parted with this gem and why? This early work, released in 1988, proves that Ms. Wilson can hold her own in traditional jazz vocals. She more than covers these standards, she claims them as her own. She even scats! Ms. Wilson's version of "My One and Only Love," is my favorite selection. I would recommend this CD to all the Cassandra Wilson fans, particularly those who have only recently discovered her work.

5 out of 5 stars GREAT ALBUM A TRUE HIDDEN GEM May 7, 2000
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is a Hidden Gem.You Don't Hear Cassandra Wilson Sing in a Straight-Up Jazz Style ANymore&that's A Shame.cuz Her VOice Here Showcases The Depth&Many talents this Lady Has.The Music is Great as is The playing.I Love Her 90's&Up Albums but this One Is Incredible.

5 out of 5 stars Cassandra Wilson sings standards September 20, 1998
22 out of 22 found this review helpful

Cassandra Wilson's recent Blue Note records have been justly praised for her ability to blend genres of popular music. This earlier album of jazz standards, however, is simply wonderful -- Wilson's stunning voice (you MUST hear it!) and intellegent singing backed by an equally intellegent trio. There isn't a wasted note anywhere.

Wilson has largely disowned this repetoire, and the straight-ahead jazz vocal style. This album might be the only extended example that we will ever have of what might have happened if she had chosen a more traditional musical path. While I enjoy her more recent albums, and would listen to her sing just about anything, this is the one I play over and over again.