MP3 Karen Blixt - Spin This

Vocalist Karen Blixt and allstar cast including Joey DeFrancesco, Russell Ferrante, Alex Acuna and Paul McCandless deliver hip
arrangements of classic standards and cool originals.

13 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Jazz Vocals, JAZZ: Swing/Big Band



Details:
Spin This includes very different interpretations of widely-familiar tunes ranging from an exciting odd-meter âMy Favorite Thingsâ to a vocal duet with organ B-3 master Joey DeFrancesco on âWhen Youâre Smiling.â Surprises such as Thelonius Monkâs âItâs Over Nowâ accompanied by only two bass clarinets, and Miles Davisâ âFourâ with four choruses sung effortlessly at break-neck speed, signal that this is not standard vocal fare. Blixt also includes two little known gems, the provocative âCarefully Taughtâ from South Pacific, and Count Basieâs virtually unsung classic, âSwinginâ The Blues.â Add to that, three originals penned by Karen and her collaborator on this album, jazz and pop veteran producer and arranger, Frank Martin.

The albumâs refreshing diversity of material represents not only the broad span of her musical career, but also of her life. âTo pare down to 12 songs a repertoire developed over 12 years of performing live was quite a challenge. I think this collection really succeeds in representing who I am, where Iâve been, and whatâs important to me at this point in my life.â

One particular highlight of Spin This unexpectedly arrives midway through the album with the Blixt/Martin-penned title track, which Karen describes as a âhip-hop funky anti-Bush rant fueled by fiery passion and rageâ But this offbeat tuneâs real brilliance is that it sits comfortably alongside such well-known classics as âYou Donât Know Meâ and âNight and Day.â

This recording also sets itself apart by featuring an all-star cast including Grammy-nominated organ B-3 phenom Joey DeFrancesco, famed Peruvian Grammy-nominated percussionist and drummer Alex Acuna, vibes legend Buddy Montgomery, Yellowjacketsâ keyboardist Russell Ferrante, drummer Will Kennedy, bassist Brian Bromberg, Grammy-nominated reed player Paul McCandless, and several others. And to do justice to the artistry of these musicians, the project was recorded at Marin Countyâs legendary Skywalker Sound, with renowned engineer Leslie Ann Jones, ensuring an exceptional sonic recording.

Karen Blixt began singing at an early age in church, showing an innate knack and love for improvising, even if it was with the only music available to her at the time: the church hymnal. Now, just as she has been doing since childhood, Karen still takes familiar tunes and gives them a twist... improvising, reworking, spinning them, until they are turned inside out and made uniquely her own. Take Karenâs CDâs proudly-proclaimed advice: Spin This!