TRAVELING MILES was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance.
Throughout the '90s the smoky-voiced contralto Cassandra Wilson has shunned piano accompaniment in favor of close-miked acoustic guitars, evoking a moodily sensual atmosphere in which pop, blues, country and straight jazz vocals all merge together. It helps that Wilson has a distinctly Southern blues cast to her singing, a quality immediately apparent on "Run The Voodoo Down," the funky opener to TRAVELING MILES, her impeccably self-produced homage to Miles Davis.
As is her wont, Wilson has chosen to mix it up on this tribute, setting lyrics to Davis compositions such as "Blue In Green," "Tutu" and "ESP" while reprising two favorite Miles covers, "Someday My Prince Will Come" and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time." The singer also contributes some of her own welcome originals such as the poppish "Right Here, Right Now," which itself sounds like a tribute to Joni Mitchell, another mentor-spirit hovering over the proceedings. The set closes with a playful reprise of "Voodoo," featuring a sisterly duet with African singer Angelique Kidjo, who sounds right at home.
Live Recording
Recorded at The Hit Factory, New York, New York in December 1997 and Bearsville Studios, Bearsville, New York in May and September 1998.
Personnel: Cassandra Wilson (vocals, acoustic guitar); Angélique Kidjo (vocals); Marvin Sewell (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, classical guitar); Kevin Breit (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, resonator guitar, bouzouki, mandocello, mandolin); Pat Metheny (classical guitar); Regina Carter (violin); Vincent Henry (harmonica); Steve Coleman (alto saxophone); Olu Dara (cornet); Eric Lewis (piano); Stefon Harris (vibraphone); Cecilia Smith (marimba); Dave Holland , Lonnie Plaxico (acoustic bass); Marcus Baylor (drums, snare drum, percussion); Perry Wilson (drums); Jeff Haynes, Mino Cinelu (percussion).
Audio Mixer: Ray Bardani.
Recording information: Bearsville Sound Studios, Bearsville, NY (12/1997-09/1998); Hit Factory, New York, NY (12/1997-09/1998).
Photographer: Joanne Savio.
Unknown Contributor Role: Rodney Kendrick.
Arrangers: Kevin Breit; Lonnie Plaxico; Marvin Sewell; Cassandra Wilson.
Personnel: Cassandra Wilson (vocals, acoustic guitar); Angelique Kidjo (vocals); Steve Coleman (alto saxophone); Olu Dara (cornet); Vincent Henry (harmonica); Regina Carter (violin); Stefon Harris (vibraphone); Cecilia Smith (marimba); Eric Lewis (piano); Kevin Breit (acoustic, electric, resophonic & e-bow guitars, electric mandolin, mandocello, bazouki); Marvin Sewell (acoustic, classical & electric guitars, bazouki); Doug Wamble (acoustic guitar); Pat Metheny (classical guitar); Dave Holland, Lonnie Plaxico (acoustic bass); Marcus Baylor (drums, percussion); Perry Wilson (drums); Jeffrey Haynes, Mino Cinelu (percussion).
Entertainment Weekly (3/26/99, p.87) - "...Wilson emerges, again, as a bittersweet-toned visionary." Rating A-" Q (1/00, p.86) - Included in Q Magazine's "50 Best Albums of 1999." Q (7/99, p.125) - 3 stars (out of 5) - "...The arrangements are never less than interesting....the bravery of her concept is attractive, and her controlled, earthy voice is capable of rescuing most situations." The Wire (6/99, p.65) - "...TRAVELING MILES is carefully designed to please....Wilson's lyrics sit well enough on this soft focus re-creation of BITCHES BREW-era churning funk..." CMJ (1/10/00, p.24) - Included in CMJ's "Jazz '99 Top 5." CMJ (3/29/99, p.3) - "...Wilson's long awaited studio follow-up to 1995's critically acclaimed NEW MOON DAUGHTER, is a stirring tribute to the wit, wisdom and kinetic spirit of Miles Davis..." JazzTimes (6/99, p.96) - "...overall luxuriant muscularity of conception grabs you slowly, surely....[Wilson's] approach is refreshing, weird, and something that stepped out of a dream, which, in the main, describes this jewel." Vibe (4/99, p.188) - "...TRAVELING is inspired by, and in homage to, the work of Miles Davis....The result is standard Wilson fare in its multi-textured eclecticism. She is as bluesy as she is folk and jazz..." Mojo (Publisher) (1/00, p.31) - Included in Mojo Magazine's "Best Jazz Albums" of 1999. Mojo (Publisher) (4/99, p.98) - "...will satisfy fans and go some way to swaying resisters. Overtly purposeful and rigorous, she combines treatments of Davis-associated material with original songs..."
Superb A rare portrait of beauty and extraordinary sound. She has her own sound like Abbey Lincoln, Jeannie Lee, Sarah Vaughn, and Ella Fitzgerald. It is like listening to a flower smile. Submitted by nickkeith92 (Mitchellville Maryland) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Country Miles Miles Dewey Davis' amazing career is well documented and he might be, not only the most influencial musician in jazz history, but in all of music. There is no shortage of Miles tributes and many of them are very good. Cassandra Wilson brings this blend of Delta blues and country with a spare relaxed feel of which is modern and ancient simultaneously. 'Traveling Miles' is a hall-of-fame level piece of artistry which surprises on every track. There's no praise too high. This is one of the best recordings ever; it's just that good. Submitted by St. Davey (Windham, Me.) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
A Classic! This is one of the best jazz CDs that I've heard in the last 20 years. While so many "jazz" artists are selling out and going to light jazz pop, Cassandra Wilson is remaining faithful to what jazz was meant to be. Her arrangements of classic Miles Davis tunes, as well as others including her own, are unbelievable. The musicianship on this CD is phenominal. The are no words to describe what a pleasure it is to hear someone who isn't afraid to experiment with new sounds while remaining faithful to the old. This CD is a must for lovers of good music no matter what genre your used to. She is also one of the best producers I've ever heard. Jerry Grigsby Submitted by a reviewer (Cincinnati Ohio USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Great DTS 5.1 mix/DVD-A 5.1 incorrect If you are looking to get the DVD-Audio version of Traveling Miles, be warned that the DVD-A tracks were mastered incorrectly. Both EMI & DTS are aware of this problem, but are not planning to fix it. However, the DTS 5.1 mix is great; but one does ultimately lose a little fidelity. The mix has some of the instruments surrounding you, but in an organic way and this is one of Cassandra's best releases musically! Regarding the DVD-A layer, the audio channels were mastered to the wrong speakers. So, instead of her singing say in the center, it's coming out of the right surround, etc. I would of given this title 4 stars, but bad mastering knocked one off. Submitted by Gary (Louisville, KY) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
Superb
Great DTS 5.1 mix/DVD-A 5.1 incorrect
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