TRACK LISTING
1. Strange Meadow Lark
2. O Shenandoah
3. Imagination Medley: I. Imagination
4. Imagination Medley: II. Just My Imagination
5. White Rabbit
6. Drift Away
7. John Henry
8. Angelitos Negros
9. Voice Of My Beautiful Country Suite: I. America The Beautiful
10. Voice Of My Beautiful Country Suite: II. Drum Battle
11. Voice Of My Beautiful Country Suite: III. Piano Blues
12. Voice Of My Beautiful Country Suite: IV. My Country 'Tis Of Thee
13. Voice Of My Beautiful Country Suite: V. Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing / Star-Spangled Banner
14. Voice Of My Beautiful Country Suite: VI. America The Beautiful - Reprise
RELEASE INFORMATION
Although it’s the rare jazz vocalist that focuses on writing original lyrics and music, René Marie explains that the idea for a set of her own material might not have come about at all, had it not been for a Mid-western club owner she met in 2003. When Marie performed original material in his club, he angrily objected; “true jazz vocalists,” he insisted “are supposed to interpret other people’s songs, not write songs of their own.” Marie gives a shout out to him on the album with the hilarious number entitled “This for Joe”, a song that has been wonderfully received at her shows, and made her realize that including some original songs in her repertoire was, in fact, something she that she needed to do. “I don’t bear any ill will toward that club owner,” Marie emphasizes. “I’m so grateful to him because when I took that stand, it was a huge impetus for me to keep writing original music. Think of the doors that are opened when you do something that someone is basically daring you to do.”
Unmistakably honest and unpretentious while transforming audiences worldwide René Marie has drawn a legion of fans and music critics who find themselves not only entertained, but encouraged by her performances. The Washington Post says “best jazz concert this summer (2011), deeply soulful voice and unique repertoire.” “Exquisite” adds the Miami Herald , and “in the very top level of performers” says LA Times.
Marie has received several awards including Best International Jazz Vocal CD by the Academie Du Jazz (Paris, France) and has graced the Billboard Charts multiple times propelling her to headliner status at major festivals in the US & abroad including the prestigious Women In Jazz Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, the Edinburgh Jazz Festival (Scotland), Shanghai Jazz Festival (China) among many others.