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Edel Meade: Blue Fantasia
By
Sheila Jordan
vocals1928 - 2025

Bobby McFerrin
vocalsb.1950

Norma Winstone
vocalsb.1941

New York Voices
vocalsb.1989

Julien Colarossi
guitarb.1988

Johnny Taylor
piano
Linley Hamilton
trumpetb.1965

Norah Jones
pianob.1979
Several of these tunes have been maturing in Meade's live shows for a number of years; the gently bossa nova tinged "I Tried to Take His Life" is as thematically curiousdeath in the kitchen sinkas it is musically seductive, with Meade's vocal, as caressing as a summer breeze, lent sympathetic support by Hamilton and Taylor; the singer is quietly commanding on the aching ballad "Love Lost"recorded by

Scott Flanigan
pianoThere's vim and verve in Meade's arrangements of Irving Berlin's "Cheek to Cheek" and

Thelonious Monk
piano1917 - 1982

Wayne Shorter
saxophone1933 - 2023
Meade delves into sassy R&B on "Blind Eye," Colarossi tuning into the vibe with a telling solo over funk bass and electric piano comping. There's a pansori feel to the dry drum-beat intro to "Blue Fantasia," a bold stylistic departure from Meade that marries minimalist impressionismsighing cymbals, tinkling percussion, echoing gongwith spoken word intimacies. From the brooding title track to the boogie of "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough." Here, Meade's teasingly slow delivery converts a dance-floor classic into an irresistibly sexy grind, infused with bluesy tones and infectious hand-claps of suggestive rhythm. Wind chimes and stream-like shaker impose a state of reverie at the outset of "Beyond the Coda," though drums, electric piano and guitar inject gently coursing pulse beneath Meade's lulling improvisation.
There's not a weak track in these dozen, stylistically varied, artfully crafted compositions. On "Iris," Meade sings: 'This is your time to shine.' So too, it seems for Meade, for with Blue Fantasia Meade confidently announces herself as a composer, interpreter and singer of notable talent, and one increasingly following her own muse. ">
Track Listing
Sideways; Cheek to Cheek; Love Lost; Prelude; ‘Round Midnight; I Tried To Take His Life; Blind Eye; Blue Fantasia; Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough; I Thought It Was You; Iris; Beyond The Coda
Personnel
Edel Meade; voice, piano (3 - intro), percussion; Julie Colarossi: guitars; Johnny Taylor; Rhodes, piano; Kevin Higgins: electric bass; Tommy Gray: drums, cajon; Linley Hamilton: trumpet; Dave McCune: güiro (4).
Album information
Title: Blue Fantasia | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced
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