Jazz / Vocal, Ballads, Contemporary Jazz, Standards, Traditional Pop, Vocal Jazz
Nnenna Freelon - Vocals, Arranger, Original Recording Producer
Abbey Anna Project Assistant
Beverly Botsford Percussion
Bill Anschell Piano
Bill Belmont Project Assistant
Bob Fisher Mastering
Brandon McCune Arranger, Piano, Organ
Chris Clough Project Supervisor
Clarence Penn Drums
Dave Valentin Flute
Dick Oatts Sax (Tenor)
Don Mizell Compilation Producer, Liner Notes
Ed Neumeister Trombone
Freddie "Ready Freddie" Washington Bass
Gerald Albright Saxophone, Sax (Tenor)
Gretchen Hoffmann Abene Original Recording Producer
James Harrah Guitar
Jessica Ivry Cello
John Brown Quintet/Ray Codrington Bass
John Burk Original Recording Producer
Julian Lage Guitar
Kent Liu Licensing
Kirk Whalum Sax (Tenor)
Luis Conte Percussion
Matt Shulman Trumpet
Michael Abene Original Recording Producer, Piano
Mike Gassel Design
Nick Phillips Original Recording Producer, Project Assistant
Peter Washington Bass
Randee Saint Nicholas Photography
Ricky Lawson Drums
Rikka Arnold Project Assistant
Sammy Figueroa Percussion
Scott Sawyer Guitar
Sounds of Blackness Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Takana Miyamoto Piano (Electric), Piano, Fender Rhodes
Take 6 Vocals, Guest Appearance, Vocals (Background)
Tim Heintz Organ, Keyboards, Piano
Wayne Batchelor Bass, Bass (Acoustic)
Woody Williams Drums
This premium selection collection is a reflection and a refraction. It reframes Nnenna's elegant artistry in a revelatory but playful and thoughtful way. These tracks were specifically chosen and sequenced not so much as a Greatest Hits package but to present a holistic big picture of the powerful scope and expanse of Nnenna's artistic appeal. The idea is to create a marvelous singular listening experience that is riveting. This incredible release features an essential collection from Grammy nominee Nnenna Freelon highlighting her Concord Jazz repertoire and includes the track "Ooh Child" previously available only on the UTV Records gospel compilation Church: Songs Of Soul & Inspiration released in 2003.
Nnenna Freelon has recorded for the Concord label since 1996. Better Than Anything has some of the high points from her first nine years with the company, drawing its dozen selections from six previously released CDs. Freelon had developed into an individual voice and a subtle improviser before she hooked up with Concord but she has grown in depth ever since, being increasingly willing to take chances and stretch herself into other idioms while staying true to her jazz vision. On Better Than Anything, seven of the dozen selections are jazz standards, with "I Say a Little Prayer" and "Balm in Gilead" being among the exceptions. But even such tunes as "Them There Eyes" (taken from a project that had modernized versions of Billie Holiday-associated songs) and "Body and Soul" sound different than expected. The most joyful performance is "Straighten Up and Fly Right," which teams Freelon with Take 6. They should record a full-length project someday. Better Than Anything is an excellent all-round sampler, although Nnenna Freelon's best fans will prefer to obtain her original CDs individually. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
