The Poems of Elizabeth Bishop and Other Songs

by Luciana Souza

Overview

Luciana Souza moves to the Sunnyside label for her second album, an ambitious project focusing on the poetry of Elizabeth Bishop (1911-1979). In all, four of Bishop's poems receive original musical treatments. But in a rather bold move, Souza includes two of her own song-poems, "Daze" and "Do Tell," which stand up quite well in comparison. Six more originals with wordless vocals complete the program. Souza's partners in this endeavor -- pianist Bruce Barth, saxophonist Chris Cheek, bassist John Lockwood, and drummer Marlon Browden -- do a superb job with her delicate but often quite difficult material. Barth and Souza go it alone on two of the Bishop poems, "Argument" and "Imber Nocturnus." "Sonnet," which opens the disc and returns as a reprise, has a surprising, almost Carole King-like pop-folk vibe. The remarkable "Insomnia" finds Souza involved in a bit of semi-vocalese, capturing the night imagery in the swooping, rapid play of syllables. Admirers of this record will be interested in hearing Souza on Andrew Rathbun's True Stories, a like-minded encounter with the poems of Margaret Atwood. ~ David R. Adler

Product Details

Release Date:	09/12/2000
Label:	Sunnyside Communications
UPC:	0016728109123
Rank:	177213

Tracks

1. Sonnet
2. In March, I Remember
3. Argument
4. The Guide
5. Not So Unique
6. The Balance
7. Backfile
8. Insomnia
9. Daze
10. The Occasional Bliss
11. Sonnet (Reprise)
12. Do Tell
13. Imber Nocturnus

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Luciana Souza   Primary Artist,Vocals
John Lockwood   Bass
Bruce Barth   Piano
Chris Cheek   Sax (Tenor),Sax (Soprano)

Technical Credits

Elizabeth Bishop   Composer
Rory Romano   Assistant
A.T. Michael MacDonald   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering
Luciana Souza   Arranger,Composer,Producer
George Schuller   Producer
David Korchin   Photography
Aya Takemura   Assistant
Francois Zalacain   Executive Producer