Search - Dee Dee Bridgewater :: This Is New

This is amazing

S. Hawkins | New York, NY | 02/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is one of the best things to happen to Kurt Weill's music since....well....he wrote them originally.Ms Bridgewater does something with these tunes that most people are far too scared to try - she messes with them...and with amazing results.Bilbao Song is perhaps the best example, in which she creates lush contrasts in latin styles...and makes amazing use of nylon-string guitars. However, she also delivers a heavenly performance of My Ship, as well.Occasionally, the arrangements dip dangerously into pop-jazz, but never for too long. Even when this happens, he incredible voice and delivery (theatre training pays off) combined with unbelievable soloists offsets any problems there.This is one of the best albums of the past year - a must buy. Also, don't hit stop after track 11 - there's a secret track of Mack the Knife that's well worth the listen!"

Should Win Her Second Grammy

Dennis J. Pauly | Evanston, IL USA | 10/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Weill songs require not just a singer but an actress and Dee Dee
can do both. She gives new life to standards like "Speak Low"
and "This is New". I love the flamenco guitar on "Bilbao Song" and the bandeleon on "Youkali". This is obviously a labor of love
between the singer and her musicians. "I'm A Stranger Here
Myself" and "Alabama Song" show Dee Dee and the musicians at
their improvisational best. A winner all the way."

Kurt Weill is dancing in his grave!

T. Luck | Boh. | 12/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dee Dee Bridgewater is one of the most creative vocalists of our time. I love all of her work (her Horace Silver tribute is a favorite) though, being a huge fan of Weill, I have to bump THIS IS NEW to the front of the line. Dee Dee really does something new here. As another reviewer states, she "messes" with Weill, with gorgeous, moving, thrilling results. If I had to pick a "low-point", it would be the charming "September Song", one of my all-time favorites (I own many beautiful interpretations). Again, Dee Dee's is truly original, and though not my favorite interpretation (that's the "low-point"), is nonetheless lovely. There is so much more to embrace here. And don't miss the hidden final track -- something like 8 minutes after the end of the listed final track -- a truly spontaneous Dee Dee cracking up on "Mack the Knife". Unfortunately, many artists (likely attempting to emulate Ella) have feigned "out-take" versions of "Mack" and other classics, but one can tell that Dee Dee is truly self-intoxicated on this track (and rightly so). I suppose some Weill "purists" may think this effort too light-hearted in spots, but who cares? Laughter in dark places is the very essence of humor -- especially Weill's humor."