April 15, 2007 Singing Madame Heartache

On my radio show, Susan Reeves joined me in the studio at WCOM in Carrboro, to share her music and her stories as a jazz singer. Susan lives in Hillsborough, and works out of Durham and Raleigh. She is the vocalist with the Raleigh Jazz Orchestra, in addition to many small ensemble groups that she performs with. She is working on a new CD. She shared some previously recorded music. Given what an incredibly stormy night it was, it seemed only fitting to begin with Stormy Weather. She then shared Joy Spring.

A favorite song of mine was Madame Heartache, by Bobby Sharp. Joining Susan on the recording of Madame Heartache was Jules van Binsbergen on piano, Peter Innocenti on double bass and John Hanks on drums. From Susan's CD, I played the songs Tulip or Turnip (Ellington) and What's Your Story Morning Glory (Mary Lou Williams). When Ms. Williams was heading up the Duke's Jazz Studies program , Susan had a chance to work some with her and was greatly encouraged by Ms. Williams.

Susan sang, with great flair, in the WCOM studio a wonderful version of Little Did I Dream. We finished with Susan's version of It Could Happen to you.

Susan performs extensively (calendar) in the Triangle Area of NC. She will be sharing her music on several occasions this summer in the Carrboro area. Be sure to catch her.
I dedicated the later part of my show to jazz diva, Dakota Staton, who died this week in NYC. She left behind a full lifetime of music. Randee Haven O'Donnell suggested I play some of the music from the early and later part of Dakota's singing career. I played several songs from the CD Great Ladies of Song - Spotlight on Dakota Staton, which was music mostly recorded in the 50's. Forty years later, with a now deeper, richer voice, she recorded the music on the CD, A Packet of Love Letters. Both CD's are delightful, and yet very different. Songs included - Anything Goes, The Late, Late Show, You Don't Know What Love Is, More Than You Know, and The Way You Look Tonight.

I finished out the show with Mary Lou Williams playing What's Your Story Morning Glory, from the CD of the same title; Stanley Baird on his CD You Will Know, playing My Favorite Things; Frankie Alexander, from her new CD Mad About the Words, and the song I Loves You, Porgy; and I ended my show with Frank Kimbrough, on his CD Frank Kimbrough Play, and the song, Lucent.

Please join me each Sunday night from 7:00-9:00 EST to hear the best jazz music from North Carolina jazz musicians - both those of the past and those currently performing. WCOM, the 100 watts of wonder station, can be heard via websteaming from any where in the world. Go to the WCOM website, and click on the button in the upper right-hand corner to hear the show.