Cassandra Wilson

On my way back home from my latest trip to San Francisco, I had some great tunes playing. It seemed as though the theme was female vocalist. Nina Simone, Abbey Lincoln, Billie Holiday and Cassandra’s “New Moon Daughter” was next in the queue and what a journey.

Just like in concert, Cassandra transports you from your seat into her own world. You are no longer in control because you are mesmerized by the sound of a voice that is deep, dark, rich, powerful, sweet and lovely. 

The stage is lit wonderfully. Each instrument is glistening in reds, purples and hues, hues of blues, blues, blues! At first silence, a banjo solo, the introduction, the band and then Cassandra! The audience at Royce Hall exploded as Cassandra dropped us all down into that down home beat. The back woods, the country, the marsh, the Delta, where you get you feet wet and dirty and the sun is burning your skin. Reginald Veal thumpin’ hard and strong on bass while Gregoire Maret layed down some cool duck sounds on harmonica. It is going to be one long set of fantastic music.

She started the evening with a Muddy Waters tune Honey Bee followed by an Ashanti proverb, ‘Even a Broken Drum can save the Moon”. She takes off her shoes as if to feel the earth. She digs in and feels the fertile ground beneath her toes. Cassandra is dropping the seeds as the soulful sound of the music takes root and grows like a musical bougainvillea.

The little drummer girl, marches on. TLC, tender loving care, Terry Lynn Carrington is holding it down as usual. The perfect back drop for Cassandra, a woman who is 100% herself and is so comfortable in a style that is unequivocally and uniquely all her own.

Jeffery Haynes is extraordinary on percussion as he delivers a cavalcade of sounds ranging from soft and warm to a multitude of rhythmic power. Cassandra breaks out with “Last Train to Clarksville, with more soul than the Monkeys ever had. The song is transformed and Cassandra is the new owner.

I certainly admire odd time signatures. I think there is room for so much creativity and Cassandra is no stranger to the primes. Singing like a lullaby, the audience is wrapped up, cradled in her arms and rocked, not to sleep, but comfortably just like babies looking up gazing at the source. Then the roar of the African beat of “Lay Lady Lay”

A ballerina of musical sound dancing melodically and spinning in a pirouette of precision, Cassandra is mesmerizing. Sting’s “Fragile”, “If Loving You is Wrong” and “Like the Sweetness in Life With You” were spewing with Cassandrasoul! Another outstanding performance by the reigning diva of musical soul, Cassandra Wilson.