The Whole Music Experience

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...

Jazz Catherine Russell Strictly Romancin’ World Village/Harmonia Mundi (2012) A follow-up to her World Village CD, Inside This Heart of Mine Catherine Russell’s Strictly Romancin’ sizzles with nostalgia.   Opening with New Orleans jazz, Under the Spell of the Blues and then following that with the sultry ballad, I’m in the Mood for Love , why not revisit the album this Valentine’s Day? I admit, I’m reviewing the album a year after its release, but that just proves the staying power of this recording.   Russell has style to burn and she seems equally at ease belting out a bluesy piece as she does in conveying heartfelt emotions with the soulful ballads.   She kicks up dust with Wake Up and Live , which will cause listeners to wake up and dance. I enjoy watching Russell’s videos on YouTube too.   Check out her version of the saucy Kitchen Man or any of the promotional pieces from her World Village recordings.   On Strictly Romancin’...

Catherine Russell Inside This Heart of Mine World Village Ana Moura Leva-Me Aos Fados World Village I received jazz/blues chanteuse Catherine Russell’s third release on World Village, Inside This Heart of Mine in early March. I’ve been champing at the bit because I want to shout out to the world about this fabulous recording. And Ms Russell’s provided us with a spicy repertoire filled with jumpin’ jive, New Orleans jazz (Dixieland, I believe), some smooth standards, swing and blues classics. From the opener, the steamy titular with Russell’s captivating vocals to the New Orleans number, Struttin’ with Some Barbeque . The song even entices a vegetarian like me—rhythmically and melodically speaking. The swinging All the Cats Join In features some stunning solos by Dan Block on saxophone and Jon-Erik Kellso. Russell shows off her vocal prowess on the swing numbers, especially on We the People with its delightful syncopation and on the Gospel-tinged Troubled Waters ....