Singer
Cassandra Wilson
, who has had a rather diverse career that has ranged from the free
funk
of
M-Base
to
standards
a la
Betty Carter
, has in recent times adopted a
folk
-oriented style a little reminiscent of
Nina Simone
. On
New Moon Daughter
her repertoire ranges from
U2
Son House
, from
Hoagy Carmichael
Hank Williams
(
"I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"
); it is certainly the only album ever that contains both
the Monkees
'
"Last Train to Clarksville"
and
"Strange Fruit."
This CD is a surprise best-seller, for
Wilson
's voice actually sounds quite bored and emotionally detached. She deserves great credit for stretching herself, but one has to dig deep to find any warmth in her overly cool approach. ~ Scott Yanow