Sophisticated and elegant, tart and bold, Nancy Wilson remains one of our most exemplary vocal stylists. This four-disc box is a gift for her diehard fans, focusing as it does on tracks making their debut on CD, as well as... more » a number of tracks that have never been released at all. Through an endless range of styles and settings, Wilson's distinctive voice--crisp and biting, dexterous and translucent--commands center stage, always showing the influence of her hero Dinah Washington and remaining much the same throughout the decades. Disc 1 offers a broad chronological survey of both chart hits and rare singles. The second disc includes 23 unreleased tracks from the vaults, including a terrific live, 14-song performance from the Las Vegas Sands Hotel in 1968. The sassy and aggressive "Peace of Mind" and breathy "I Can't Get Started" highlight the live portion, while studio readings of the bluesy, sultry "Anytime" and the soulful, spine-tingling "Hurry Change" are as strong as anything here. Disc 3 is "Nancy's Choice," distinguished especially by early-1960s Billy May arrangements and three 1969 recordings accompanied by the Hank Jones Quartet, including a wonderfully relaxed and alluring version of Gershwin's "Do It Again." The final disc introduces a slew of album cuts to the CD format. On the whole, one wishes the compilers would have sacrificed a bit of breadth in order to dig deeper into Wilson's prime recordings. The disco, lite-funk, and smooth jazz material--and even some of the more bombastic orchestral arrangements--don't play to her strengths as an interpreter, even if her authoritative vocal performances prove a worthy match. Thus, newcomers and casual fans may want to start elsewhere, although collectors will be thrilled with most of the treasures found here. --Marc Greilsamer« less
Sophisticated and elegant, tart and bold, Nancy Wilson remains one of our most exemplary vocal stylists. This four-disc box is a gift for her diehard fans, focusing as it does on tracks making their debut on CD, as well as a number of tracks that have never been released at all. Through an endless range of styles and settings, Wilson's distinctive voice--crisp and biting, dexterous and translucent--commands center stage, always showing the influence of her hero Dinah Washington and remaining much the same throughout the decades. Disc 1 offers a broad chronological survey of both chart hits and rare singles. The second disc includes 23 unreleased tracks from the vaults, including a terrific live, 14-song performance from the Las Vegas Sands Hotel in 1968. The sassy and aggressive "Peace of Mind" and breathy "I Can't Get Started" highlight the live portion, while studio readings of the bluesy, sultry "Anytime" and the soulful, spine-tingling "Hurry Change" are as strong as anything here. Disc 3 is "Nancy's Choice," distinguished especially by early-1960s Billy May arrangements and three 1969 recordings accompanied by the Hank Jones Quartet, including a wonderfully relaxed and alluring version of Gershwin's "Do It Again." The final disc introduces a slew of album cuts to the CD format. On the whole, one wishes the compilers would have sacrificed a bit of breadth in order to dig deeper into Wilson's prime recordings. The disco, lite-funk, and smooth jazz material--and even some of the more bombastic orchestral arrangements--don't play to her strengths as an interpreter, even if her authoritative vocal performances prove a worthy match. Thus, newcomers and casual fans may want to start elsewhere, although collectors will be thrilled with most of the treasures found here. --Marc Greilsamer
CD Reviews
STUNNING!
Harry N. Cohen | New Haven, Ct. USA | 02/20/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am usually hesitant to shell out money for a boxed set, but the minute I heard about The Essence Of Nancy Wilson, I knew I would purchase it on it's release date. I did and I am thrilled. Nancy Wilson is without a doubt the most technically proficient singer in jazz,pop,r&b, you name it and Miss Nancy can sing it. There are 4 discs in this set, a total of 81 cuts and there is not a bad cut among them...well, maybe one, bi=ut more about that in a bit. This set covers material recorede by Nancy during her Capitol years 1960-1980, with a few tracks from her Sony years in the 80's and 90's. The high point of the set is a previously unreleased live set from the Sands in Las Vegas recorded in 1968.This show was amazing and features many great Wilson moments.Nancy's version of Jerome Kern's The Folks Who Live On the Hill is breathtaking. Nancy's use of silence and incredible phrasing on this cut are true artistry.This cut is absolutely the best version of this great standard ever recorded...pure perfection. Yje live set also features a beautiful medley dedicated to her (then) young son KC. The last song on the medley is Black Is Beautiful, a song I remember Nancy doing in the late 60's. This version is heartbraking, empowering and loving. Disc one feature some singles that never charted and a few that did including Nancy's Grammy winning How Glad I Am and 1974's You're As Right As Rain.Highlights of disc three include Billy Strayhorn's Passion Flower, Free Again (a staggering vocal), Glad To Be Unhappy, an out of left field but achingly poignant version of Leonard Cohen's Suzanne,and How Many Broken Wings from 1970's Now I'm A Woman, Nancy's foray into the then burgeoning Philly sound. This disc also feature Sunshine, the one clinker out of 81. This cut is from Love, Life and Harmony, Nancy's sort of disco album.Disc four includes a lovely version of Jobim's Wave, Morning In Your Eyes, and the incrredible The Island. This song is the musical equivalent of making love. Listen and you'll see what I mean.This disc ends with 3 more live cuts from a Japanese release from 1975..When Did You Leave Heaven Guess Who I Saw Today and the aptly titled Greatest Performance Of My Life, all are showstoppers. One minor complaint...the profusely illustrated booklet, featuring all of Nancy's Capitol lp covers, previously unreleased photos and exhaustive liner notes fell apart after only 2 readings. Staples anyone? Seriously, this is the best boxed set I have ever purchased. Buy it and you will agree."
Totally Awesome
MEA | Buffalo Grove, IL United States | 12/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been purchasing Nancy Wilson albums for years so I believed that I had heard all of her recordings. Well, I was wrong. This collection includes new songs from live performances that are excellent, along with different arrangements of old favorites. I agree with the reviewer who praised disc #2. It's a must for any Nancy Wilson fan. If you like to listen to Miss Nancy, buy this set."
A well deserved tribute to a special lady!
Eric Something | Seattle, Wa | 02/26/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I love this box. What a great idea! I got it on the day it was
released. And as the booklet demostrates, Nancy is not only a
woman with a beautiful voice, but a spiritual being who has given so much joy and love to the world we live in by just by being being the woman she is. Through the course of a long career, an artist is not only judged on the calibre on their talent. They are commented on their appearance, empathy, and attitude. And we all know Nancy has got that all in spades. That's what makes this even more special. Nancy is family-always has been. The kind of woman you would not be intimidated going up to say express your appreciation but someone that you respect enough to come correct with. I love the variety of Nancy's work this box explores. It could have been lonh longer 'cause there are a couple of notable songs I was longing to hear. I list them not to say this wasn't an exceptional product of love, but to point out things that are also worthy of great merit in her catalog.1. Mr. Walker It's All Over- From "A Son Of A Preacher Man"
2. Tonight Will Have To Last Me All Of My Life
3. Gentle Is My Love
4. Forbidden Love
5 Almost Persuaded
6. This Girl is a Woman Now
7. Have A Heart
8. Before The Rain"
Excellent!
Ronald R. Gee | San Diego | 09/05/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is absolutely the best of her best. I'm only afraid I'll wear it out. For me her voice and style hit its zenith in the late sixites and seventies and these recordings are mostly from that time period. Nancy's voice is unmistakable and her talent immeasurable and it all comes out on these cd's."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1