In Conversation--Jazz Chanteuse Catherine "Cat" Russell
Harmonia Mundi/Jazz Village Bringing Back to the Classics: A Conversation with Catherine Russell The first time I heard Catherine Russell sing was when her 2010 Jazz Village CD, Inside This Heart of Mine arrived at my mailbox. The songs, all thoughtfully chosen blues and jazz classics, delighted me and had my feet tapping while I reviewed the recording. November hit the spot with its warm acoustic guitar, accordion, violin, and Russell’s soulful alto vocals wrapping around each word, like a winter scarf. The send-ups All Cats Join In , We The People and Just Because You Can also had staying power. On the follow-up album, Strictly Romancin’ , again Russell treated her happy listeners to toe-tapping classics Wake Up and Live and Satchel Mouth Baby as well as, bluesy ballads Under the Spell of the Blues and Don’t Leave Me. She sang romantic ballads too such as I’m in the Mood for Love. Bring it Back , Russell’s la...