Nancy Wilson

Turned To Blue

Manchester Craftsmen's Guild  MCGJ 1022

          Songstress and two-time Grammy Award winner Nancy Wilson is hoping her "blue" CD will once again turn into Grammy gold at the 49th Grammy Awards set for Feb.11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Wilson's Turned To Blue (Manchester Craftsmen's Guild), a collection of new and classic love songs, has been nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album.  Also vying for top honors in that category are Karrin Allyson (Footprints - Concord Jazz); Roberta Gambarini (Easy To Love - Groovin' High/Kindred Rhythm); Nancy King (Live At Jazz Standard With Fred Hersch - Maxjazz); and Diana Krall (From This Moment On - Verve). (See 2007 Grammy Nominations )

The title track, Turned To Blue, is a musical version of "My Life Has Turned To Blue," a poem by Dr. Maya Angelou, former Poet Laureate for the United States. This song is one of four new compositions included on the eleven-track disc. Another simple yet powerful song is I Don't Remember Ever Growing Up, written by Artie Butler. The educationally tongue-in-cheek Knitting Class and reflective Golden Years round out the new songs.

Turned To Blue has at least one featured soloist on every track. There are five tenor saxophone solos by five luminaries of the instrument: Jimmy Heath, Bob Mintzer, James Moody, Tom Scott, and Andy Snitzer. Other soloists include flutist Hubert Laws, trumpeter Sean Jones, and bassist John Clayton. Tropical sounds are provided by vibraphonist Dave Samuels and steel pan master Andy Narell. Finally, there are two very special pianists: Wilson's long-time musical director, Llew Matthews, and fellow jazz master and dear friend, Dr. Billy Taylor. I'll Be Seeing You marks the first time Wilson and Taylor have ever recorded together.

Turned To Blue is another classy project released by an exceptionally classy recording artist.

Track selections: This Is All I Ask, Take Love Easy, Turned To Blue, Knitting Class, Be My Love, Taking A Chance On Love, Just Once, These Golden Years, I Don't Remember Ever Growing Up, Old Folks, I'll Be Seeing You.

Recorded at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, Pittsburgh, PA, October 21-22, 2005; May 5 &17, 2006; Conway Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA, December 13-14, 2005; January 26-27, 2006; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY, January 15-16, 2006; Audible Images, Pittsburgh, PA, May 6, 2006.

- Stephen Fratallone/Jazz Connection Magazine

Rating:  ****

*****