Cassandra Wilson Blue Light til Dawn

[Bill Hart]

I wouldn't put in the the class of New Moon Daughter

Being recorded at Sears Sound means it was recorded all tube. I like the PP records but they do have a "sound." Of course that varies since they use at least three mastering engineers, in this case Ron McMaster at Capitol. Also interesting to see who she thanks including Michael Cuscuna and Producer Craig Street.

"He has worked with artists such as Norah Jones, k. d. lang, Rebekka Bakken, Cassandra Wilson, Charlie Sexton, Meshell Ndegeocello, Joe Henry, John Legend, The Manhattan Transfer, Chris Whitley and others. Come Away with Me, which he produced for Norah Jones, won a Grammy for album of the year in 2002."

http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/credits/craig-street/498257


Of course, I think I first remember him from his work with Holly Cole.

My question is this the first time it was released on LP? I don't have an earlier copy and don't see it around either. Her other albums like NMD fetch a hefty used price.

Why is NMD so crazy expensive on vinyl?

 

[MylesBAstor]

Why is NMD so crazy expensive on vinyl?

I dunno but am sure glad I picked NMD up when released!

 

[Andre Marc]

Which album and is she on vinyl?

Can't speak for the vinyl, left that world 20 years ago, but I am partial to her first
two albums. But all 4 really are special. Artistry of the highest order.

Her version of Miles's Afro Blue, and original Blue Rose from Salt, her first album
just stop me in my tracks.

To be honest, strictly speaking for my self, I find Cassandra Wilson a bit studied, precious, and
arty on occasion. Thats just me!

 

[Andre Marc]

Why is NMD so crazy expensive on vinyl?

Cause you crazy guys are willin' to pay!!!

 

[Bill Hart]

Can't speak for the vinyl, left that world 20 years ago, but I am partial to her first
two albums. But all 4 really are special. Artistry of the highest order.

Her version of Miles's Afro Blue, and original Blue Rose from Salt, her first album
just stop me in my tracks.

To be honest, strictly speaking for my self, I find Cassandra Wilson a bit studied, precious, and
arty on occasion. Thats just me!

Not disagreeing re her style. I liked the sonics, and what led me to buy the record was the mix of material. I have the same issue with Patricia Barber- Modern Cool is just too.
Me, I'm more an Etta James type guy. Like blues. Like standards, too. There's a woman- a whole lotta woman- we catch occasionally here in NY- she's out of Red Hook, Brooklyn and used to play up at Levon's alot- Alexis P Suter. She's a gospel singer, but mixes it up with hard driven rock. Her rendition of "It Ain't My Cross To Bear" is powerful and she doesn't need a microphone. She belts it out, old school. It would probably be worth making a list of female vocalists who can really move you.

 

[Andre Marc]

Not disagreeing re her style. I liked the sonics, and what led me to buy the record was the mix of material. I have the same issue with Patricia Barber- Modern Cool is just too.
Me, I'm more an Etta James type guy. Like blues. Like standards, too. There's a woman- a whole lotta woman- we catch occasionally here in NY- she's out of Red Hook, Brooklyn and used to play up at Levon's alot- Alexis P Suter. She's a gospel singer, but mixes it up with hard driven rock. Her rendition of "It Ain't My Cross To Bear" is powerful and she doesn't need a microphone. She belts it out, old school. It would probably be worth making a list of female vocalists who can really move you.

I'm the same way, but I also have a guilty pleasure side..I don't mind a refined presentation..heck, I love early Barbara Streisand records.

I lean towards the Lucinda, Bettye Lavette, and Janis side of things. But I love Norah, Tori Amos, and Joni too.

I did see a bunch of Suter videos on YouTube. Raw as raw can be, and proud of it. Thank God.

Nothing against Wilson, she is a true artist. She just reminds me of the Wynton Marlsalis and Keith Jarret stuffy side of things...

 

[Gregadd]

To be honest, strictly speaking for my self, I find Cassandra Wilson a bit studied, precious, and
arty on occasion. Thats just me!

"Different strokes for different folks." I find those to be good traits.

 

[Andre Marc]

"Different strokes for different folks." I find those to be good traits.

Good point! Those CAN be good traits, depending on your mood and perspective.

 

[Bill Hart]

Classic reissued one of his LPs. Have to dig deep to find that one!

found it, "Dirt Floor" and a fresh copy is en route. The other one, his first on a major label (columbia, i think), was 'living with the law,' which is not easy to find used- the two copies i spotted so far were overseas, at 100 bucks a pop, used.
I'm looking forward to Dirt Floor, apparently very simple recording.

 

[24bit]

has BLUE LIGHT TILL DAWN,also been remastered to vinyl?

 

[Bill Hart]

has BLUE LIGHT TILL DAWN,also been remastered to vinyl?

Yes, as i understand it, it was not released on vinyl originally. I think Fremer did a write up. It sounds good.

 

[garylkoh]

has BLUE LIGHT TILL DAWN,also been remastered to vinyl?

http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/77013/Cassandra_Wilson-Blue_Light_Till_Dawn-180_Gram_Vinyl_Record

 

[Bill Hart]

New Moon Daughter was also to be (re)released on vinyl, i ordered it months ago, from Chad I think, have yet to see it.
I also got the Belly of the Sun vinyl. Both Blue Light and Belly are Pure Pleasure (as the 'new' New Moon might be, i can't remember).

 

[MylesBAstor]

Give it a go, Myles, be interested in your take. I only got a chance to listen to the whole thing once through so far, but it is pretty impressive, and yes, some of the tracks sound different, owing perhaps to different studio/recording or mastering engineer (i don't have the liner notes in front of me right now). I don't know if it was released on vinyl before either.

BTW it's a DMM pressing and because of the use of a preview head, is essentially a digital recording. Now you know why all the PP releases have that thin, slightly metallic, electronic sound.

 

[Bill Hart]

BTW it's a DMM pressing and because of the use of a preview head, is essentially a digital recording. Now you know why all the PP releases have that thin, slightly metallic, electronic sound.

Interesting, I thought Blue Light at Dawn sounded good, I didn't find Belly to be as engaging musically. I have a DMM of This One's for Blanton (not PP) that is unbelievably percussive. In some respects, it makes the piano sound more lively, but it is not real.
NB- maybe some of the tracks that were done at Sear's on Blue Light offset a little of the potential stridency.

 

[MylesBAstor]

Interesting, I thought Blue Light at Dawn sounded good, I didn't find Belly to be as engaging musically. I have a DMM of This One's for Blanton (not PP) that is unbelievably percussive. In some respects, it makes the piano sound more lively, but it is not real.
NB- maybe some of the tracks that were done at Sear's on Blue Light offset a little of the potential stridency.

As with the Candid recording/tape that is a little on the dark side. I also suspect they used some other technology to remove tape hiss too on the Lightnin' Hopkins.

 

[Ronm1]

Can't speak for the vinyl, left that world 20 years ago, but I am partial to her first
two albums. But all 4 really are special. Artistry of the highest order.

Her version of Miles's Afro Blue, and original Blue Rose from Salt, her first album
just stop me in my tracks.

To be honest, strictly speaking for my self, I find Cassandra Wilson a bit studied, precious, and
arty on occasion. Thats just me!

I have all her disc too. A little heavy on the bass at times but overall nicely done. I get the arty reference, some arrangements can be intentionally out there.
You guys might like Lyambiko. Tends to sound like Nina Simone, so she did a tribute album. Her backup trio is excellent with superb sonics, IMHO, of course. Best Afro Blue since Nancy Wilson. Her Black Coffee cover is top self.