René Marie is a local jazz singer who's wisely recorded her music without regard to the 3.5 minute standard format. 6 to 10 minutes and you've been to church! She has two versions of the folk-gospel traditional "How Can I Keep From Singing?" and both stun the soul. The version on this album is done a Capella with such a pristine and restrained power that you just have to close your eyes and float with your arms outstretched for fear of remaining attached to the ground in the moment of rapture. The other version begins solo voice and gently slides into a Caribbean lilt that bounces like the breeze on a perfect beach. Rather than float above the ground, it leaves you feeling the cool sand between your toes as you suddenly discover that your hips really can salsa after all! They are both miraculous deliveries of one of my favorite songs.
No comments:
Post a Comment