Kristin Callahan

Air Date: 8/22/2021

There are songs that become associated with one singer's interpretation, such as Billy Strayhorn's Lush Life, for example. After I heard Johnny Hartman sing it, I really was spoiled enough to not want to hear it performed by anyone else. 

But then, along comes vocalist Kristin Callahan, not only with her own very refreshing and original version of the song, but also with the comment that she was inspired by Andy Bey's treatment from his 2004 release American Song. “That’s what I really love in a song,” Ms. Callahan says, “when it surprises me, when it’s different.” Hers is an interpretation that stands apart from the others.

This was not the song that first engaged me with her new CD,  Lost In a Dream, however. It is the title number, the lone original song on the album.

If there is one thing I am looking for in a song, it is the ability to effectively communicate emotion. Well, if you are looking for emotion, then lost or unrequited love present fertile ground.
 
The pathos evoked by this one track is powerful. I suppose you could attribute that to the fact that it written in a minor key, but there is a feeling of dissonance in the song that is like having an itch that cannot be scratched, or like a love that will never be reciprocated. As far as a song is able to, this one makes you experience, or perhaps re-experience, the emotion.

During the first hour you'll hear Andy Bey as well as Ms. Callahan sing Lush Life, just for comparison. In hour two, look for the title track, plus Duke Ellington's Caravan. Finally, during Brazil/World hour, listen for her version of Jobim's Once I Loved. You may be surprised at how fresh these tracks sound, even as some have been covered by so many other artists.

 
On her next release, I am hoping to hear more original songs from this fine vocalist.

Music From Venezuela

The other day I saw a live concert by the Boston Brass. In the group was trombonist Domingo Pagliuca, who won a 2020 Latin Grammy Award for Best Classical Music Album. When I heard the CD, Eternal Gratitude, I knew that it is something that you'd like to hear. (I don't worry much about labeling songs by musical category.)

When Mr. Pagliuca told me that he was from Venezuela, a light bulb went off. I remembered that we recently got a few CDs in from Venezuelan artists Edward Simon and Otmaro Ruiz. So of course, that led me to put together a Venezuelan set for you during Brazil/World hour. 

Music From Turkey

Even more recently we got a CD from Turkish-American artist Fahir Atakoğlu. Also, I happen to know that there are a fair number of listeners in Turkey. So this one's for you, my Turkish friends.

The CD is quite good, and it features some talented vocalists, like American Aimee Allen, Italy's Letizia Gambi, Spain's Concha Buika, and Brazil's Luciana Souza.
 
You'll hear a Turkish song that is very pretty. You might also find entertainment in my attempts to pronounce some of the names and titles. Apologies!

Antonio Adolfo's Jobim Forever is #1

The JazzWeek top fifty has Mr. Adolfo's newest release at number one, and you can hear several tracks from this fine work sprinkled throughout the show. 
 
Enjoy!
 
Marty

HOUR ONE: Contemplative Morning

Domingo Pagliuca, Paulina Leisring-Eternal Gratitude 2019-10 Daybreak
Chris Standring\Wonderful World 2021\Wonderful World feat Kathrin Shorr
Antonio Adolfo\Jobim Forever 2021\Estrada Do Sol
Fahir Atakoğlu-For Love 2020-13 Love's Cresendo feat Aimee Allen
Billy Test-Coming Down Roses 2021-05 Empty Spaces
Jacqui Naylor\The Long Game 2021\Love Look What You've Done
Nelson Riveros\The Latin Side of Wes Montgomery 2021\Leila
John DePaola\Take Two 2021\That's All
Emmet Cohen-Future Stride-10 Little Angel-2021
Alan Pasqua\Day Dream 2020\Prelude to a Kiss
Andy Bey-American Song-07 Lush Life 2004
Kristin Callahan\Lost In a Dream 2021\Lush Life

HOUR TWO: New For You

Chris Standring\Wonderful World 2021\Sunrise
Kristin Callahan\Lost In a Dream 2021\Lost In a Dream
Antonio Adolfo\Jobim Forever 2021\Amparo
Antonio Adolfo-Tema-10 Variations on a Tema Triste 2015
Wayne Alpern\Frankenstein 2021\More Than Yesterday
Kristin Callahan\Lost In a Dream 2021\Caravan
Benito Gonzalez-Sing to the World 2021-03 Father
Stacey Kent-Tenderly-02 Tangerine 2015
Rahsaan Barber-Mosaic 2021-06 NaDJe And The Snow
Judy Wexler\Back to the Garden 2021\American Tune
Kenny Shanker-Beautiful Things 2021-01 Cool Mint
Tanya Dennis-White Sails Blue Skies 2021-07 Indigo
Adam Glaser Trio\Excursions\Lay Low

HOUR THREE: Brazil/World

From Venezuela:
Edward Simon\25 Years\02 Alma Llanera (Pt. 2)
Otmaro Ruiz, Bruno Mangueira 2020\Essência\01 Acordando
Domingo Pagliuca, Paulina Leisring-Eternal Gratitude 2019-04 Sang Till Lotta
 
From Turkey:
Fahir Atakoğlu-For Love 2020-11 This Too Shall Pass - Bu Da Gecer
 
Kristin Callahan\Lost In a Dream 2021\Once I Loved (Astrud Gilberto)
Antonio Adolfo\Jobim Forever 2021\A Felicidade
Diego Figueiredo-Antarctica-09 My Friend Menescal-2021
Alexis Cole-Nearer the Sun-09 Summer Samba 2005 (so nice)
Aimee Allen-Wings Uncaged-07 Fotografia 2018
Tanya Dennis-White Sails Blue Skies 2021-02 Till You
Susan Pereira\Tudo Azul 2017\01 West End P.A. (sabor brazil)

HOUR FOUR: Groove, Baby

Vincent Ingala - On The Move (single) 2021
Gaetano Letizia\Chartreuse\Paradise Found 2021
Chris Standring\Real Life 2020\This Mess is a Place
Najee\The Smooth Side Of Soul\Perfect Nites 2012
Rick Braun-Can You Feel It-08-Silk
Dave Stryker\Baker's Circle\Everything I Love
Zen Zadravec\Human Revolution\Human Revolution\Mentor Disciple
Randy Brecker-Randy In Brasil-04 Me Leve-2008
Robin McKelle-Melodic Canvas-09 It Won't End Up 2018
Rainbow featuring Will Boulware-Over Crystal Green-04 Appearance 2002


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