Susan Krebs and The Soaring Sextet - Jazz Aviary

Susan Krebs & The Soaring Sextet-Medley- I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry-Dink's Blues-Three Little Birds Krebs, Susan & The Soaring Sextet Discography [1999] Jazz Gardener [2002] What Am I Here For? [2007] Jazz Aviary Influences Bessie Smith, Ida Cox, Billie Holiday, Muddy Waters, Judy Henske, Joan Baez, Ricky Lee Jones, Lotte Lenya, Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Carter, Irene Kral, Anita O'Day, Sheila Jordan, Abbey Lincoln, Nancy Wilson, Helen Merrill, Mark Murphy, Janis Siegel, Norma Winstone, Patricia Barber, Charles Lloyd, Steve Kuhn, Fred Hersch Bonus Audio Hank Williams Sr. - I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry Bob Marley & The Wailers - Three Little Birds

I spent most of the day cleaning up my living area and listening to Susan Krebs's latest 2007 CD, Jazz Aviary with The Soaring Sextet (her band).

If you've never heard of Susan Kreps, the jazz singer, you might actually know her as an actress. Looking at her impressive filmography, I was surprise to see that she's appeared in some of my favorite films (Million Dollar Baby and 28 Days Later) and television shows (Freaks and Geeks, Ally McBeal, Full House and Sledge Hammer!).

It would seem that her real passion is music, and have been releasing music since 1999 with Jazz Gardener.

The latest album, Jazz Aviary is an interesting birds/nature concept album. Each songs has something to do with birds, and I believe they're all cover songs (from traditional songs to pop hits).

The song that you'll probably recognize is the The Beatles' "Blackbird" as jazzified by Krebs. It's very different from the original, if you want to take a listen to it, head over to her myspace.

My favorite song off this album is the crazy medley of Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" with "Dink's Blues" (traditional) and Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds". Trust me, you haven't heard "Three Little Birds" until you hear this version.

As for "I'm So Lonesome", the song does mention two birds: a Whip-poor-will and a robin in the song. It's quite interesting to see a reggae and a country song together in a jazz setting. As a bonus, I'm including the original songs for you to hear.

I leave you with a quote from Krebs and her fascination with birds:

I remember as a kid, lying stretched out in a hammock between two grand sycamores, watching the birds, listening to the birds - digging the birds! Birds and humans have shared this planet for many millennia. Our impulse to sing and our desire to fly reflect this deep and ancient connection with the avian tribe. The eloquent biologist, E.O. Wilson, writes that the preservation of the world lies in understanding and appreciating the wonder and awe that nature arouses. With Jazz Aviary - a concert of musical ornithology, spoken word and birdsong - I want to express the wonder and awe specifically that birds arouse.

Susan Krebs and The Soaring Sextet's Jazz Aviary was released on September 18, 2007 by GreenGig Music. If you need to use up your emusic downloads (since it's the end of the month), this is the ONLY album that GreenGig is offering on emusic.

 12/30/2007 22:40:00  vu my♥posts www.susankrebsmusic.com