MOSAEC Music Reviews-Dianne Reeves(Dianne Reeves)

Shopping

Travel

Jobs

Bargains

Cars

Join the MO Network Across the Web!

Music

To Buy
Click Here

Dianne Reeves
Dianne Reeves
By Steven Fullwood

"Sky Islands," a Caribbean-flavored song that starts Dianne Reeves' eponymous Blue Note album, opens up another chapter for the Denver-native who furthers her flight into musical heaven. Good thing she allows us to tag along. The scant eight songs that fill this disc elevate Reeves' artistry and contains the classic (and second take) "Better Days."

This time out, "Better Days" is helped along considerably by the production of Reeves' cousin, the legendary producer, George Duke. The song has a leaner, more direct sound due in part to Reeves' approach; she's relaxed and considerably more confident. Reeves' delivery captures the essence of the song, a beautiful rendering of an eternal relationship between Reeves and her grandmother. Eddie del Barrio's bittersweet standard "I'm O.K." makes its first appearance here and is later retooled to perfection on 1996's The Grand Encounter. Following the trajectory of Reeves as she re-records versions of previously recorded songs illuminates her growth as an artist.

Dianne Reeves (the album) casts a larger shadow than that of her two previous efforts, due primarily to "Better Days," "Chan's Song (Never Said), written by Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock, and her cover of the Duke Ellington-penned classic, "I've Got It Bad and That Ain't Good." Enjoyable and effective, this carefully produced eponymous album is a feather in Reeves' cap and a joy to jazz and soul music lovers alike. M

June 2002

ADVERTISEMENT

Support MOSAEC, Visit Our Sponsors

Also . . .
	Dianne Reeves - Staying True to Her Artistic Self and Grooving All the While
	Art & Survival
	Bridges
	The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan
	The Grand Encounter
	In the Moment/Live in Concert
	I Remember
	Never Too Far
	The Palo Alto Sessions 1981-1985
	Quiet After the Storm
	That Day
	More on Dianne Reeves
	Music Archive

Vote for MO'
Make Donation Below

Gear Up With MO'

ON SALE NOW: T-shirts, mugs, mousepads and more