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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."
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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.
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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 |
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