Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Who Knew: The Best Vocal Chops and Best Taste, Plus Theology

We thank the intrepid Mrs. SWNID for drawing our attention to the most stunning of artistic and cultural revelations in our recent experience, from none other than the august but sometimes predictable pages of Christianity Today.

Extraordinary jazz vocalist Kurt Elling, of whom we have known thanks to his winning many Downbeat polls but whom we've heard far too little, is a former divinity student who is managing a thoughtful, informed and honest approach to his music.

Elling has amazing chops as a singer. He covers five octaves and zero to one hundred decibels. His voice is supple, flexible and edgy. He also has uncanny taste, whether he's singing vocal standards, adaptations of instrumental standards, reworkings of pop tunes, or originals. His singing demands attention, and it rewards it. He puts his soul out there, not just his technique.

And now we see that this is more than talent. It really is his soul that's out there, and he knows it.

Why has this been a big secret for so long?

We urge the reading of the CT review by Mark Gauvreau Judge. We also note that we just added "more Kurt Elling recordings" to our SWNIDish Christmas wish list.

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