leo,
These are some of her best. Thanks for sharing. 
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I can see what you mean about story teller. Interesting that she wrote Love at the Five and Dime from a short story she had written. Beautiful song!
And I think I’ve actually heard that Version of From a Distance, so guess I have heard Nancy Griffith before. What a talent! Thanks for sharing!
Lyndol,
I won’t belabor the thread any more, but since you mentioned “Love at the Five and Dime,” I thought I’d share my favorite version. It’s from Austin City Limits sometime in the 80s, and it has an energy and lightness that doesn’t come through in the later version. And her introduction is a hoot. Have fun. 
That’s so cool! Her intro was a hoot. And how ingenious to have the elevator sound of the Woolsworth in her guitar lick. She’s just so classy and it’s fun to see her on Austin City Limits. I saw a few acts there, such as Phish. My opinion - it’s a show/ venue that brings the best out in performers, especially an Austin Girl!
Yes, this is beautiful! I like Mr. Eigisti’s decending blocked chords. It’s a sound that keeps you on your toes, while her voice on top is just so seductive and soothing. Nice!
And I LOVE the sound of his new album, Tree Falls. It’s truly beautiful, especially the piano. I especially liked Play with Me. I’ll take a listen to whole album too!
Thanks for sharing!
Lyndol,
I’ve been listening to a lot of young South African pianists lately–whose names I can’t pronounce 
-- and Thandi Ntuli popped up on Apple Music. She’s a 30-something singer/songwriter. There’s a definite personality here, along with her talent, that has something refreshing. Not sure why that adjective struck me, but there it is.
The clip is a 50-minute set of her compositions. Listen to, at least, the first two tunes. You’ll see the personality there. (And the percussionist is incredible!) I’ve included the set list so you can pick and choose if you’re interested. Enjoy!
Track list:
00:06 - The Offering
09:27 - It’s Complicated Pt. 1
17:40 - Cosmic Light
25:50 - What’s Left
33:13 - Abyssinia
42:08 - New Way
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Hey Scott,
Thandi is superb!
Loved the smooth sounds of her Rhodes and her vocals with out lyrics; just lovely.
I listened to the whole thing and loved how seeing her personality shining through so authentically and unassuming.
I’ve done that before, when you sing about forgetting a lyric - made me laugh. So many musicians think they have to be perfect for an audience. But It’s seeing their humanity while hearing her beauty that made me feel the connection of the music even stronger.
Thanks for sharing!
PS - LOVE the percussion!
I’ve been listening to Jovino’s recent seminar on Bossa Nova Classics and was looking through the YouTube offerings for ideas for “Dindi.” And damn! I came across this from Sarah Vaughan, and it blows me away. She is so fine here. Enjoy!
Sarah Vaughan’s Dindi -Oh my gosh, she’s so funny! I love how personable and comfortable she is, different from younger videos of her. She’s always been so authentic, but she just owns that stage here. Beautiful! I especially love how the beat builds and rescinds in her solo, then builds again when she solos at the end. She even looks like she is floating, feet off the ground, at one moment! Her dynamics are divine. What a master.
A friend shared this with me this week and I’ve been in love with it. Melody Gardot Morning Sun - live.
I’ve been a fan for a while, but just read today about what an advocate she is for Music Therapy, since it was a huge part of her healing process while recovering from a head injury when she was only 19. Might be why she still wears sunglasses, sensitive to light.
What I can’t seem to figure out - is this her song, or a cover. It sounds like a children’s song, but done in such a sophisticated arrangement.
That’s one hell of a tune! Thanks for sharing. In answer to your question, it’s her song. For an interesting backstory, check this out;
]Exclusive: Melody Gardot’s ‘Morning Sun’ From Upcoming Album – Billboard
Returning to “Dindi,” I happened to come across a version by Boz Scaggs (b. 1944). I think his vocal works quite well.
Actually, I’m a bit surprised by it. I was a fan of his back in the late 60s andf 70s when he played in the Steve Miller Band, and I still had both hair and ambition. When he went solo, his tune “Lowdown” from the album Silk Degrees (1976) won him a Grammy for Best R&B Song of 1976. He also wrote the pop hit “We’re All Alone.” In recent years, he’s turned to covering jazz standards.
Following are two clips. The first is “Lowdown” with Michael McDonald and Donald Fagen as the Dukes of September. The second is a version of “We’re All Alone.” Enjoy!
If you’re interested in an upright grand like Gardot is using, check out the Modern U from VI Lab–the ones who brought us the Ravenscroft 275. I have it, and it’s well worth a listen.
Boz Scaggs - haven’t heard his name in a while! I love that song We are All Alone, enjoyed that. And especially enjoyed the Dukes of September song. I like the arrangement and players involved.
And interesting take on Dindi. Nice and Mellow.
And what a cool story about Melody Gardot’s Song Morning Sun. Such a tender innocence she captured in the song as well as the arrangement. Here’s a small except from the link you sent me…
"We called it, amongst ourselves, ‘Ezra’s Song,’ (in honor of the baby) as the song was finished at the same moment we received the news his son had arrived into the world, Gardot tells Billboard . “Literally, I had just finished the last chords and a message came through: ‘Ezra has arrived!’ It’s a kind of spiritual, talking about life, the beauty of the world and how the universe is waiting with open arms to receive all the dreams, hopes and desires of every young child.” Though Gardot “wasn’t convinced from the beginning that it would make the cut,” now she “can’t see the album without it.” - Billboard
That’s interesting about the Modern U piano Sample. Looked into it a bit, and it is a very nice, soothing sound. I typically prefer Baby Grand’s to upright, even in samples, but this offers something very mellow and bright at the same time. It expresses the optimism I heard in Melody Gardot’s song.
It’d be nice to know when you share a recording using this sample.
Finally, Been working on Beautiful Love this week as one of the next tracks for the Accompaniment challenge. I’ve found lots of great vocal versions, but I found these two stood out.
I had not heard of Lauren Hendersen before this video. I like how fast the tempo is but it’s about more than just a fast tempo. She changes up the melody a bit, floats over the tempo at times, makes the song fresh to me again.
Side note: From my ears, I can’t figure the timing on the pick up at the start. It also sounds like she might come in 2 measures early after the solo? Not sure, but it all works! They all line up tight once she starts singing…
Vasundhara Vee & Saurabh Suman - Never heard of this couple, but I like creativity and interplay! Just a different perspective on this Standard - bass and vocals only but with some vocalese written to solos from Anita O’Day’s classic version. (Vocalese is something we discussed on this tread a while back; Vocalese is a style or musical genre of jazz singing in which words are added to an instrumental soloist’s improvisation. Interesting.
I enjoyed your session on “Beautiful Love.” I don’t sing, but I found your ideas about how to accompany singers and your suggestions about chord choices quite useful.
As we go into the holiday season, for me a time of reflection, the beautiful tune “Who Knows Where the Time Goes”–written by Sandy Denny (1947-1978)–seems apt. “Who Knows Where the Time Goes” became a signature song for both Denny and Fairport Convention and has been covered by many artists. Here are two: Nina Simone and Nanci Griffith. I love all things Nanci Griffith, but this is one of my favorites.
I don’t know why Griffith’s video says it’s not available [El vídeo no está disponible]. Just click on “Ver en YouTube” to see it.
Here are the lyrics:
Across the evening sky, all the birds are leaving
But how can they know it’s time for them to go?
Before the winter fire, I will still be dreaming
I have no thought of time
For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?
Sad, deserted shore, your fickle friends are leaving
Ah, but then you know it’s time for them to go
But I will still be here, I have no thought of leaving
I do not count the time
For who knows where the time goes?
Who knows where the time goes?
And I am not alone while my love is near me
I know it will be so until it’s time to go
So come the storms of winter and then the birds in spring again
I have no fear of time
For who knows how my love grows?
And who knows where the time goes?
Enjoy!
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Hi Scott,
So I’m back from the Thanksgiving Holiday, lots of family and travel and food. This song you shared, “Who Knows Where the Time Goes” really resonates with me today, on this Monday that I return to regular life. We lost a friend this weekend, and this is exactly the lyrics that help to see the bigger picture of life.
I really liked the arrangement on the Nina Simone, including when it goes into organ and full band at the end. Very cool.
And I’m becoming a huge fan of Nancy Griffith’s. I’m learning Love at the 5 and Dime. and now, yes, this is just enchanting. In particular, I love the harmonies. Such a reflective song that returns the mind to peace and stillness. Thank for sharing.
I wanted to share a holiday original song by Acute Inflections. They are a duo that are quite successful in NYC. Booked out all year long, they have good support for their albums. I like seeing local success of musicians that are doing their own thang. They are more than jazz, doing a wide variety of covers and originals.
This song is an original Christmas classic. I’m very interested in this because as a composer, I’ve never attempted to write a Christmas tune. And this year I’ve been thinking about attempting it. They are just so many good classics, so how does one actually add to the catalogue with something original but centered on the spirit of Christmas? It’s far too easy to be cliche. But this song, ‘In December’ has something I truly like. Maybe it’s just that I love the singer’s high end vocals. So beautiful. You can really hear it stand out with confidently with the bass only accompaniment.
Seems like they’ve inspired a movement in NYC for bass and vocals only duos. Not sure if they actually started it, or if it’s just a trend due to economics. (smaller bands for smaller music budgets) Maybe I just heard if first from Acute Inflections, but they are the best I’ve heard so far.
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Love this tune from Acute Inflections and the minimalist feel.
I apologize in advance if the following is not really in keeping with the Great
American Songbook. But you’re composing now, and nearly 100-year-old tunes aren’t everything–except probably the most beautiful and harmonically satisfying of all time!
You said you “wanted to share a holiday original song by Acute Inflections . . . [and that m]aybe it’s just that I love the singer’s high end vocals. So beautiful.”
My immediate gut response to her vocal register was that it is so like Kate Bush, an English late 70s pianist/vocalist/performance artist discovered by David Gilmour, the Pink Floyd guitarist. Totally different genre, but beautiful nonetheless.
You may know her, but I’m guessing from your age that maybe you don’t. At any rate, in case you don’t, here are three of her greatest tunes with some commentary I found.
The one that immediately connected me with the sound of the vocalist of Acute Inflections is “The Man With the Child in His Eyes” (1978).
Remarkably, Kate Bush wrote this song when she was just 13 years old and recorded it only a few years later at the age of 16. Pink Floyd’s very own David Gilmour, who had helped discover the bright young talent, footed the bill for a gigantic backing band which Bush would later admit frightened her.
The track is written about the relationship between a young girl and an older man and shows off Bush’s marvellous talent at such a young age. It’s a song filled with artistic promise.
The next is “Cloudbusting” (1985).
[ A] track from Kate Bush’s seminal album Hounds of Love, the track is a bounding and beautiful affair that rarely provides room for breath. It’s a shining example of Bush’s ability to transform herself into the figurative mind of her protagonist and bring us as an audience along for the ride.
Written about the famed psychologist and philosopher Wilhelm Reich and the tumultuous relationship he shared with his son, Peter. The song is written from Peter’s point of view and focuses on the games he and his father shared during his upbringing on the family farm.
It’s a testament to Bush’s writing that she is able to turn a subject matter like this into a chart hit and have the song remain a bonafide classic.
And look at such a young Donald Sutherland. 
And the last is probably her most iconic tune, “Running Up the Hill.”
The track, ‘Running Up That Hill’ was the lead single of one of Bush’s most incredible works, Hounds of Love, which remains a pop masterpiece, and the song is a lead single worthy of such an album. Only released ahead of ‘Cloudbusting’ through Bush’s insistence, the track has become one of her most iconic to date.
Bush told BBC about the song, “I was trying to say that, really, a man and a woman can’t understand each other because we are a man and a woman. And if we could actually swap each other’s roles, if we could actually be in each other’s place for a while, I think we’d both be very surprised! [Laughs] And I think it would lead to a greater understanding.”
She continues to add layer upon layer to the lyrics as she explores heavenly sources of inspiration, “Really the only way I could think it could be done was either… you know, I thought a deal with the devil, you know. And I thought, ‘well, no, why not a deal with God!’ You know, because in a way, it’s so much more powerful the whole idea of asking God to make a deal with you.”
Charged with emotion and passion that few artists can even muster, let alone put down on tape, ‘Running Up That Hill’ will continue to be regarded as one of the greatest pop songs of all time. It feels bristling with modernism nearly 40 years after its release.
As well as writing and performing this tune, she’s the dancer here as well. Enjoy!
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Here is a recording by Beegie Adair and Monica Ramey. It is a beautiful Christmas song called Wouldn’t You Like an Old-Fashioned Christmas. I can just imagine Lyndol and Hayden performing it. 
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@celia - How very lovely! What a nice, intimate duet for Christmas.
I would like an old fashioned Christmas, actually! The whole vibe is warm but super classy.
And It’s a great idea for Hayden and I! Been too long since we’ve duet’ed together! Thanks for the suggestion.
What do you think @Hayden?
@scott1 - Yes, I’m familiar with Kate Bush, but mainly the song Running Up that Hill.
What you’ve shared has captivated me today.
First of all I find it amazing what all we categorize under Pop. So much gets lumped there, and Pop today is nothing at all like Pop from the 80’s and 90’s. Kate Bush’s work is so creative, and such a high quality of songwriting; as well as complexity of message and form. And her voice is just so beautiful.
Mostly though, she is so original it’s hard to place her in a genre. She’s her own genre.
Also, I’m familiar with Wilhelm Reich’s research and find that video and song fascinating. That she even attempted such a complicated subject and story line. Then turned it into such a likable tune. Talent. It was so well illustrated by her video, as well as the song. Too too cool!
And as many times as I’ve heard Running up that Hill, I never knew what it was about. The commentary was so helpful. And as I watched the video, I had chills from head to toe! True art! Her voice, her dancing. Wow. I’ve been elevated today and reminded how powerful art can be. Thank you.
Makes me think of Tori Amos. She probably the earliest singing Pianist to inspire me personally. I believe she was very influenced by Kate Bush, which is how I came across Kate Bush many years ago.
Tori is more classical, but has her own original ‘Piano Pop’ style. The piano is intrigual to almost all her songs, which she plays while singing even for her live shows.
I saw her once at Texas A&M when I was in college, then again many years later in Paris. She commands the stage effortlessly as a solo artist, for very large audiences. I don’t believe she has much improvisation to her playing, but her piano is quite complicated to be singing over at the same time. I’ve learned several of her tunes over the years. But this is my favorite.
Though most people on Pianogroove are Jazz/Great American Songbook focused, sharing music that inspires is more important that keeping with strict genres.
Most of us are influenced by a variety of artist, and the lines between genres becomes more and more fuzzy these days. So I hope everyone feels free to share any vocalist that they like, jazz or otherwise. Skies the limit!
Yes great idea @celia and lovely recording. Coincidentally I stumbled across another recording from the same album whilst preparing Xmas piano songs.
“The Christmas Waltz” is also one of the tunes we will cover in Friday’s Xmas seminar:
And yes @Lyndol it has been way too long since our last duet - we must schedule something next time I’m in the USA!
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