Christina does "jazz"

[Aggie87]

I guess she really did enjoy her little experiment playing with Herbie Hancock on his last album....

Christina Aguilera to Release Jazz-influenced Album

Just when you thought jazz had taken enough abuse from over-the-hill rockers and expired pop stars gunning for the wine-tasting market, teeny-bopping chanteuse Christina Aguilera is set to release an ode to jazz and blues titled Back to Basics on Aug. 15.

According to a recent press release, the album is a “modern take on vintage jazz, soul and blues from the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s...with a throwback style creating a sound that’s gritty and raw.” It will be curious to hear exactly what kind of ‘20s-era “soul” music she's looking to channel, since that genre didn’t really surface until the 1960s, but if anyone from the Britney camp has the pipes to tackle classic American music, it’s probably Aguilera. The 25-year-old pop star has delved into soul material with favorable results several times throughout her career, most notably winning a Grammy alongside Mya, Lil' Kim and Pink for their transformation of the Patti LaBelle hit “Lady Marmalade” off the Moulin Rouge soundtrack.

On the jazz front, Aguilera joined up with Herbie Hancock last year on a Grammy-nominated rendition of Leon Russell's "A Song For You." The track was part of Hancock's pop collaborations album Possibilities, and the pair performed the song live at the Grammy Awards this past February.

Nonetheless, Aguilera’s people seem a little confused about the musical history she hopes to cite. “'Candy Man' recalls the tight harmonies of all-girl groups from the ‘30s and ‘40s,” reads the press release, again misplacing an early 1960s phenomenon.

“The touchstones are Billie Holiday, Otis Redding, Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald....what I used to call my ‘fun music’ when I was a little girl,” says Aguilera. These influences will be shaped into Aguilera’s 21st century vision by several different producers, among them Gangstarr’s DJ Premier, whose resume boasts hits for Biggie Smalls, Nas and Jay-Z. Suffice it to say, no matter how jazz-indebted Aguilera’s latest phase may be, you probably won’t catch her at Lincoln Center anytime soon.

The track “Nasty Naughty Boy” reportedly has a “’20s burlesque feel,” and that sultry spirit could be Aguilera’s nod to tent show divas like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith—though it's doubtful the notoriously provocative pop star has a blueswoman's gift for sexy understatement or sly double-entendres. According to Aguilera's Web site, lyrics to one upcoming track read, “still got the nasty in me…still got that dirty degree…still got that freak in me.”

For more information on Back to Basics, visit Aguilera’s official Web site, www.christinaaguilera.com.

Written By: Evan Haga - jazztimes.com

edited to update link directly to jazztimes.com

Edited May 18, 2006 by Aggie87

[Jim Alfredson]

SWEET!

[GregN]

I imagine Jazz Snobs are more happy when pop stars hate anything and everything resembling jazz.

As more than a semi-related aside:

I really wish Ringo would release a jazz album.

Anyhow, where was I? Oh,

Just as I wouldn't bash John Mayer without hearing his blues album (I still haven't heard it by the way, maybe it's psychological avoidance), I won't bash C.A..

This girl has pipes. If she would put on about 100 pounds, hang out with Nessa for a year or two, get a boob job, she could probably blow away most contempory so-called jazz singers.

Besides, and best of all, she still has some "freak" in her!!!

[dave9199]

I really wish Ringo would release a jazz album.

Haven't you ever heard his first solo album Sentimental Journey? It's awful, but has 2 big band arrangments on it that I really liked; Night & Day and Blue Turning Grey Over You.

[Dave James]

I think if I was Herbie, I'd start worrying about my legacy.

Up over and out.

[Alexander]

I think if I was Herbie, I'd start worrying about my legacy.

Up over and out.

Her performance on "A Song For You" was actually quite good. She avoided her trademark oversinging for the most part (I'm sure Herbie told her to calm that stuff down). I agree that she has a good voice, but I'm just so damn sick of these "standards" projects...

[Kari S]

[CJ Shearn]

we should give people my generation a break and see what happens... Christina has chops, not that I like her stuff, but she has chops.

[ghost of miles]

I really wish Ringo would release a jazz album.

Haven't you ever heard his first solo album Sentimental Journey? It's awful, but has 2 big band arrangments on it that I really liked; Night & Day and Blue Turning Grey Over You.

You beat me to it... didn't he make that one for his mum?

[RDK]

Well, I suppose it's better than her doing Wilmer Valderrama...

[7/4]

Well, I suppose it's better than her doing Wilmer Valderrama...

Fez!

[jazzypaul]

we should give people my generation a break and see what happens... Christina has chops, not that I like her stuff, but she has chops.

exactly.

[JSngry]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[JSngry]

Suffice it to say, no matter how jazz-indebted Aguilera’s latest phase may be, you probably won’t catch her at Lincoln Center anytime soon.

Oh well!

[CJ Shearn]

thanks jazzypaul!

[dave9199]

I really wish Ringo would release a jazz album.

Haven't you ever heard his first solo album Sentimental Journey? It's awful, but has 2 big band arrangments on it that I really liked; Night & Day and Blue Turning Grey Over You.

You beat me to it... didn't he make that one for his mum?

Yes. Have you heard his follow up country album, Beaucoup Of Blues? Just as bad, but worse. I didn't own that one for too long as I never liked country music although I'll listen to Mike Nesmith's Monkees country songs any day, but never ventured into his solo stuff.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Who is this reviewer?

"the tight harmonies of all-girl groups from the ‘30s and ‘40s,” reads the press release, again misplacing an early 1960s phenomenon."

Hasn't he heard of the Boswell Sisters or the Andrews Sisters? Come on...

MG

[bluesbro]

Since the wife likes Cristina, I will get this for her, on release day most likely. I'll report back. She can sing, hope she gets a good producer.

[Jim Alfredson]

I think if I was Herbie, I'd start worrying about my legacy.

Up over and out.

I don't think Herbie needs to worry about his legacy. Did you see those youtube videos I posted of his performances on the 1984 & 1985 Grammy Awards? If that can't tarnish him, nothing will!!!

[John L]

The question is, however, when can Jazz do Christina?

[CJ Shearn]

wait, Jim, you posted that synth wank fest from '85? Herbie singing ""hey! Watermelon Man" into the vocoder creeped me out, lol I thought he dumped that thing. that was hilarious, I was dying seeing a Fairlight on stage........ have you seen that electronic music educational video on there "Discovering Electronic Music"? damn that was funny, they acted as if synths were still academic, when they were becoming more accessible at the time of that vid.

[jazzbo]

I hear they're going to use this as the cover photo and photophop her into Monk's little red wagon. (C'mon JOHN!)

I DON'T most of us jazz snobs are going to like this album. . . .

Edited May 19, 2006 by jazzbo

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

if i had a fairlight, id be able to have sex with a different girl every night of my life until i was 90

[couw]

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

I hear they're going to use this as the cover photo and photophop her into Monk's little red wagon. (C'mon JOHN!)

I DON'T most of us jazz snobs are going to like this album. . . .

Is THAT what she looks like! Phew! Does it matter what she sings like?

MG