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Clarence Penn: Behind the Voice

By Dan Bilawsky
July 5, 2024
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Drummer

Clarence Penn

drums
b.1968

" data-original-title="" title="">Clarence Penn, a serious force on the scene for more than three decades, has worked with a who's who of vocalists—

Betty Carter

vocals
1929 - 1998

" data-original-title="" title="">Betty Carter,

Kandace Springs

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Kandace Springs,

Luciana Souza

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Luciana Souza,

Kate McGarry

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Kate McGarry,

Nellie McKay

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Nellie McKay,

Claudia Acuna

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Claudia Acuna,

Paula Cole

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Paula Cole,

Melissa Walker

vocals
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Melissa Walker and

" data-original-title="" title="">Nneena Freelon, to name just a few. He knows more than a thing or two about history and creativity behind the voice, and he's here to show it with this sharply-constructed date. Working with a stacked lineup of singers and instrumentalists, and using his production, arranging and multi-instrumental/vocalized chops to reimagine ripe repertoire and some surprising selections, Penn brilliantly explores the nexus connecting drummer and song.

This nine-song program takes off with a dose of late 70's

Stevie Wonder

vocals
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Stevie Wonder in the form of "Send One Your Love."

Aaron Marcellus

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Aaron Marcellus, in the first of his two appearances, does a stellar job selling soul in voice, but what's even more remarkable is the slick yet subtle glazed-and-grooving atmosphere that Penn creates to surround him. The inimitable

Kurt Elling

vocals
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Kurt Elling drops in for

Peter Gabriel

vocals
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter Gabriel's "Come Talk to Me," where guitarist

Gilad Hekselman

guitar
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Gilad Hekselman gets some spotlight and the leader locks things down and paints with fine-drawn focus. TOKU brings a stylistically appropriate drawl to Levon Helm's "Growing Trade," a welcome scenario that benefits from

Gregoire Maret

harmonica
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Gregoire Maret's harmonica,

Shedrick Mitchell

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Shedrick Mitchell's keys, and a sincere roots approach from all involved. And

Chelsea Jackson

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Chelsea Jackson tackles peak-era Prince on the absorbing "Sometimes It Snows in April."

Deconstructing and reimagining Dave Grohl's "Everlong" at album's midpoint, Penn puts his surgical touches at center stage along with his vocoder work and powerful playing behind the kit, drawing greater focus toward his wide-ranging skill set and the album's mission to broaden and acknowledge the connection between drummer, songwriter, producer and singer. Then

Emily Braden

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Emily Braden updates Don Henley's designs on a metrically-tweaked, mood-altered "The Heart of The Matter"; Marcellus embodies the spirit within and surrounding Phil Collins' "Why Can't It Wait Till Morning"; Penn occupies the fore and rear on "Human Nature," melodizing with vocoder and laying down the foundation along with bassist

Yasushi Nakamura

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Yasushi Nakamura; and Jackson returns to put forth low-key Erykah Badu vibes on Penn original/closer "You Are."

Well-conceived projects touching on under-explored angles are few and far between these days, but Clarence Penn delivers one with Behind The Voice. A conceptually sound work built on a wonderful sonic concept, its riches are innumerable.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Send One Your Love; Come Talk to Me; Growing Trade; Sometimes It Snows in April; Everlong; The Heart of the Matter; Why Can't It Wait Till Morning; Human Nature; You Are.

Personnel

Clarence Penn

drums

Kurt Elling

vocals

Emily Braden

vocals

Chelsea Jackson

vocals

Aaron Marcellus

vocals

Yasushi Nakamura

bass

James Genus

bass

Darrell Freeman

bass

Adam Rogers

guitar

Gilad Hekselman

guitar

Christopher Bruce

guitar

Tom Guarna

guitar, electric

Gregoire Maret

harmonica

Shedrick Mitchell

piano

Doug Dehays

saxophone, baritone

Marshall Gilkes

trombone

Album information

Title: Behind the Voice | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Origin Records

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Clarence Penn Concerts

Oct 1 Wed

Andy James & Jon Cowherd All Stars

Parker Jazz Club
Austin, TX

Oct 2 Thu

Andy James & Jon Cowherd All Stars

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro
New Orleans, LA

Oct 3 Fri

Andy James & Jon Cowherd All Stars

Blues Alley
Washington, DC

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