Friday, September 24, 2010

Cynthia Felton Sings Ellington


Cynthia Felton? Ellington? Sings? Yes. Take a singer with the sweetness of a Syreeta Wright, add a sharp musical intelligence, nuance, and terrific interpretation abilities. Then cherry pick some of Ellington's (plus Strayhorn's and Tizol's) most singable songs. What you get is this album. Cynthia Felton has that something that makes a singer worthy of your attention.

We are talking about the CD Come Sunday (Felton Entertainment 0002).

She's backed by a group of notables that include Cyrus Chestnut, Tain Watts, Ernie Watts, Wallace Roney and others, and they give everything the right framework.

She can scat and swing but I especially love her attention to musical detail on the more balladic numbers like "In A Sentimental Mood," "Come Sunday," and "Prelude to A Kiss."

The best singers can do a song that's been done countless of times and find a way to make in sound new. Cynthia Felton has that. And to do Ellington? Oh yes, that's a great idea. This one will speak to anyone. . .who listens. Wow, thanks Ms. Felton.

No comments:

Post a Comment