I’m happy to announce that I have a new album, entitled ReVisions: Songs of Stevie Wonder. Happy, but also a bit conflicted, as I had expected that my next release would be made up of my own new songs rather then more beloved classics from the past. But an opportunity arose to make this album, thanks to the good people at Chesky Records, so here it is. ReVisions was produced by David Chesky and also features Stephan Crump on acoustic bass and Chris Cheek on tenor, soprano and baritone saxophones.
Some notes:
Over the past forty years, Stevie Wonder has written the soundtrack for this very moment in history. "Master Blaster (Jammin)", illuminates 2008's election night festivities around the world and the promise and redemption that 2009's inauguration holds. "Big Brother" and "Village Ghettoland" channel his outrage about the bitter truths of poverty and isolation which afflict more and more people every day. "If it's Magic," holds up our delicate hopes, "You Haven't Done Nothin'" spits out our betrayal. I had to sing these songs again, now, in the age of Obama. * While it may seem an odd choice to perform this rich, multi-layered music as a sparse trio without chords, it made sense to me on several levels. First of all, Chris Cheek and Stephan Crump are two of my favorite musicians in the world. Then there is the trio ensemble itself; a three-legged stool where each leg has to hold strong to keep things standing. I like the trio's intimacy and the fact that it leaves nowhere to hide and everywhere to lead. And of course, these are times where each of us in all our flaws must stand up to help each other, learn to rely on each other, maintain strength of purpose, and move forward.
We recorded live over 2 days last November at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in New York City.
Jen Chapin
