Abbey Lincoln Turtle's Dream CD

A TURTLE'S DREAM was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance.

This release continued Abbey Lincoln's '90s resurgence. As with her preceding Verve releases, A TURTLE'S DREAM features notable guest musicians (including Pat Metheny, Kenny Baron, and Lucky Peterson), all of whom add grace to the proceedings. Her core backing trio comprises Rodney Kendrick on piano, Charlie Haden on bass, and Victor Lewis on drums. The set features primarily her originals, along with a pair of covers, including Eben Ahbez's "Nature Boy." The opening song, "Throw It Away," has a melancholy resonance that is utterly inviting as Lincoln pours herself into the lyrics with deep passion and subtle dramatics. The addition of a string section on a couple of numbers--especially "Down Here Below"--makes for some elegant blues.

Recorded at Clinton Recording Studio, New York on May 28, August 29, and November 7 & 8, 1994.

Personnel: Abbey Lincoln (vocals); Lucky Peterson (guitar, background vocals); Pat Metheny (guitar); Sandra Billingslea, Vincent Pagliarin, Pierre Blanchard (violin); Frédéric Fymard (viola); John Robinson , Anne-Gaelle Bisquay, Marc Gilet (cello); Julien Lourau (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Roy Hargrove (trumpet); Kenny Barron, Rodney Kendrick (piano); Victor Lewis (drums).

Recording information: Clinton Recording Studios, Inc., New York, NY (05/1994-11/1994).

Photographers: Adger Cowans; Carol Friedman.

Arranger: Abbey Lincoln.

Personnel: Abbey Lincoln (vocals); Julien Lourau (soprano & tenor saxophones); Roy Hargrove (trumpet); Pierre Blanchard, Vincent Pagliarin, Sandra Billingslea (violin); Frederic Fymard (viola); Anne-Gaelle Bisquay, Marc Gilet, John Robinson (cello); Rodney Kendrick, Kenny Barron (piano); Pat Metheny (acoustic & electric guitars); Lucky Peterson (guitar, background vocals); Christian McBride, Charlie Haden, Michael Bowie (bass); Victor Lewis (drums).

Entertainment Weekly (6/16/95, p.61) - "Lincoln, now in her 60s, is finally making records that capture her capabilities as a jazz singer-songwriter. Unhurried, sagacious, and original, she makes wise use of her limited vocal range..." - Rating: A-
Down Beat (8/95, p.44) - 4 Stars - Very Good - "Lincoln has made the most of her straightforward style, maturing into a worldly wise diva....Her bittersweet singing is lovelier than ever, set off by accompaniment so luscious and creamy that Lincoln herself is nearly overshadowed..."
Vibe (9/95, p.168) - "...at least she's been spared the pain of peaking early. Haunting and full of deceptive melodies....Her austere, Tao-inspired lyrics...positively glow..."
Village Voice (1/16/96) - Ranked #13 in the Village Voice's Best Jazz Discs of '95 - "...For more than half a century, a jazz diva was...a singer crying for her man. Lincoln has turned that around--never with greater emotional resolve than on this sublime album..."
New York Times (Publisher) (1/6/96, p.C16) - Included on Stephen Holden's and Peter Watrous' list of the Top 10 Albums of `95 - "The 65-year-old jazz singer and stylistic heir to Billie Holiday writes roomy, pop-jazz ballads whose pained wisdom matches a voice that conveys the accumulated lessons of a difficult but rewarding life..."