Cassandra Wilson - New Moon Daughter

180-gram double LP, gatefold jacket

Cassandra Wilson's own excellent, jazz tinged compositions sit alongside a stunning set of ingenious covers from a highly diverse spectrum of composers. "Last Train To Clarksville" is transformed from a catchy pop song into a stripped-down and genuinely effective jazz vocal work-out. "Harvest Moon" slows down Neil Young's already wistful ballad to an almost painful level and, in so doing, takes it to an even higher level of gentle reflection. Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" & U2's "Love Is Blindness" are transformed into 3 in the morning jazz club classics. The vocals and backing to Robert Johnson's "32-20" are simplified to the point where only the essence of the blues is allowed to shine and, Lewis Allan's "Strange Fruit" becomes as desolate and challenging as its horrific lyrics.

This album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart in 1996.

Side 1

Strange Fruit

Love Is Blindness

Solomon Sang

Side 2

Death Letter

Skylark

Find Him

I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

Side 3

Last Train To Clarksville

Until 3. A Little Warm Death

A Little Warm Death

Side 4

Memphis

Harvest Moon

32-20

Customer Reviews (5.00 Stars) 4 person(s) rated this product.

Love is Blindness posted on 12/28/2016 5 Stars Reviewer: Anthony I can easily recall the day I bought my UK Blue Note 120 gram original of this release. Upon opening, I was disappointed with the package and the flimsy vinyl but when I put it on the turntable I was blown away by the fidelity. Now we have a 180 gram re-issue by Pure Pleasure. In comparison the package is far superior. The discs are flat and quiet and bass aficionados will appreciate the low frequency extension, especially on 'Solomon Sang', if their equipment is up to the task. I found the soundfield to be slightly narrower albeit a bit deeper. Overall the sonic presentation is cleaner but lacking just a touch of the life, energy, and ambiance of the original. Very nicely done!

Very Good Reissue posted on 12/31/2013 5 Stars Reviewer: Ross I had always wanted this on vinyl,but $200-$300 seemed a bit much on eBay auctions.After about 5 seconds of the first track I knew this was a first class reissue.If you only have the CD,the lp will surprise you. Highly recommended.

Very faithful re-press posted on 11/11/2013 5 Stars Reviewer: moog_man I was sceptical - being fortunate to own the original UK pressing. And very pleased to have been proved wrong. This quality and sonics of this new pressing is worthy of its premium pricing. The extra 180gm weight really affords the lower end the appropriate extension to lock down the dynamics of this superb album. And the previous single outer sleeve housing the two 120gm vinyl and a credit sheet has been replaced by a sturdy card gatefold outer. Pure Pleasure has done an excellent job on an LP that many thought they'd never be able to hold as vinyl; as have Pallas, who pressed up two perfectly flat copies. Well done.

Write a review and let people know what you think of this product OR just rate it.