Record Reviews

NORMA WINSTONE ~ DESCANSADO: SONGS FOR FILMS ECM 2567 (Barcode: 602557869897) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the fifth (fourth on the ECMFind albums on this label label) album by British Jazz diva vocalist / lyricist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist recorded in a trio format with Italian pianist Glauco VenierFind albums by this artist and German saxophonist / clarinetist Klaus GesingFind albums by this artist. Two additional musicians: Norwegian percussionist Helge Andreas NorbakkenFind albums by this artist and Italian cellist Mario BrunelloFind albums by this artist, appear as guest on the album. The album presents Winstone´s interpretations of eleven theme songs of cult, mostly European films, one of which is also repeated in a short solo piano version. Two of these songs have original English lyrics, Winstone wrote lyrics for six more of the themes and the remaining ones remain wordless vocalese pieces. Venier and Gesing wrote all the instrumental arrangements. The album is dedicated to two great British Jazz luminaries, who were inseparable from Winstone´s career over the years: pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, both sadly no longer with us. The music is an intimate, highly elegant and exquisite piece of European Culture, which has an inclusive approach to Art, in which Cinema, Music and all other Art forms are simply different aspects of the same aesthetics. On this album Winstone in sublimely minimalist, as is the instrumental accompaniment, which only amplifies the overall effect of immediacy and deep empathy with the original music. She is, as always, consistent with her established vocal techniques and expressions, which enable a wide palette of vocal possibilities that she wisely and thoughtfully employs. Of course all the musicians involved are Masters of their trade and their ability to cushion Winstone´s delicate vocal phrases with their magic touches is utterly radiant. Winstone´s albums are always a completely risk-free endeavors for me, pieces of sublime taste and perfect execution that one can "blindly" count on. It just occurred to me that I have known Norma longer that I know my wife, which seems to be forever. Since I met her in 1968 I have closely followed her achievements, often on the vanguard of the British / European Jazz, and she never ever disappointed me in any way. Such remarkable consistency and creative power is incredibly rare and I am grateful to her for five decades of musical delights. I suppose this music might not appeal to all Jazz enthusiasts. It is definitely fragile and somewhat Spartan, compelling the listener to make an intellectual and emotional effort in order to absorb it, as all great Art does. Being familiar with these cult films and their soundtracks clearly helps. It is haute culture, obviously, which in our Neanderthal world gets barely noted, but that means it is something worth living for. If you know Winstone´s work, this album will be undoubtedly one of the crown jewels, if you don´t this is perhaps a great opportunity to discover her. In any case, this is a brilliant piece of music, which is out there for everybody to love!

Updated: 27/05/2018Posted: 27/05/2018

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