Search - Annette Hanshaw :: Volume 5: 1928-1929

The only female who was really singing jazz the the 20's!

Aaron B. | u.s.a. | 04/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Annette Hanshaw possesed a delightful swinging voice(completely opposite of Ruth Etting's squeeky and stiff non-swinging style), she was pretty well to do, coming from a wealthy family, so she sang strictly for kicks and mostly for the musicians, she really didn't like being popular, and when she did beat Etting in popularity poles, she quit at age 26! This cd covers her 1928-29 period, a very strong period for the now virtually forgotten jazz singer, since Hanshaw was well to do, she only hired the best musicians(as a matter of fact, they came to her), she was a favorite of Eddie Lang, Joe Venuti, and loved by all jazz musicians. She is backed on this cd by Lang, Venuti, and essentilly the same groups that would back up the Boswell sisters in the 30's, Hanshaw scats, swings, improvises, and interacts with her musicians, and gives them plaenty of room for their HOT solos. This is great classic jazz and proof taht Louis Armstrong wasn't the only truly GREAT jazz singer in the 20's. Any of her cd's you can get a hold of are worth getting."

Voice of an angel

Aaron B. | 09/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The ability to take a song and effortlessly make it hers and seemingly hers alone. Her range, timing, phrasing have yet to be equalled. The voice is that of an angel, changing the atmosphere of a room and transporting the listener to higher spheres. I think her influence can be compared in a sense to Robert Johnson, someone who in a short space of time embodied the mystery of the gift of pure divine talent and left an imprint. Time stands still when you listen to the recordings of Annette Hanshaw. In this age of fiberglass discover where the treasures lie. The CD "Lovable and Sweet" may be a good place to begin."