A little respect for some classic jazz

            Allison Crowe's blend of blues, rock, gospel, pop and jazz
makes her a nightmare for music-store clerks paid to sort CDs. But her
debut, Secrets, earned the singer-songwriter from Nanaimo, B.C., much
acclaim. Crowe told Maclean's about her favourite jazz albums.

            1. I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, by Aretha
Franklin. "I'm particularly fond of the title track. And the album has
Respect! You can't go wrong."

            2. Chet Baker Sings: It Could Happen to You, by Chet Baker.
"I discovered Chet when I was very young, taking bass lessons. He has
such a unique voice and a tragic story. Great music if you're sad."

            3. The Jazz Vocal Collection by various artists. "My
favourite tracks are Love Me or Leave Me by Nina Simone. I love the
classically infused jazz piano solo. And In Love in Vain by Gabrielle
Goodman -- just stand-up bass and a voice. Very sparse, very cool."

***

Here’s an out-take of that interview ~ with John Intini, Assistant Editor of Canada's national news and culture magazine, Maclean's ~ in which Allison reveals her top classic rock picks:

The Ocean - Led Zeppelin - “I grew up listening to quite a bit of Led Zeppelin, and I love everything to do with The Ocean, that is the ACTUAL ocean, so this track is a natural favourite of mine from the get go. Also, I quite enjoy the a cappella bridge of the song, with all the ‘La-La’s.”

Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin - “Piece of My Heart is a very, very close second, but I had to go with this one because it just rocks. The piano on this track and the rootsy rock feel are my favourite.”

The Weight - The Band - “Every time I hear this song I just kind of go ‘ahhhh’... and think, wow, I miss Woodstock. Those were the times. And then I remember I was born in 1981.”

“All Along the Watchtower - the Jimi Hendrix version would be my next pick”

  :o)