Jazz Press by Greg Drygala
✕
  • Back to GPoint-Audio
  • All That Jazz
  • Music Reviews
    • English
    • Español
    • Русский
  • Jazz Foto
  • About me
9024-2

Youn Sun Nah – Same Girl ( 2010 ) Label: ACT Music / VOCAL, ADVENTUROUS :)

Posted On 11th May 2012 By grzech In Music Reviews /  

Youn Sun Nah is a 42 year old Korean singer ,but actually it is easy to be fooled by her much younger appearance. Same Girl is the 7th LP in her discography ,and a second one recorded for a prestigious German ACT Music Label and following debut „Voyage”.

After listening to the first one I had a massive headache as this music was simply incredible. Have to say that the current one is nothing but a killer too. There is a mix of few classics, not particularly jazzy ones, a couple of her own tunes and one from Ulf Wakenius, Swedish guitarist and her musical partner and label colleague.

Opening My favourite Things by Rogers/Hammerstein is ordinary overwhelming. Well known tune in her interpretation becomes a philosophical reflection. Words ,so simple have there a mark of lifetime wisdom. Hard to forget feeling and have to be heard to be believed.

Next, Frank’s My Name is Carnival is closer to original interpretation ,but framed with Youn’s amazing vocal abilities becomes again ,completely new quality. The same definition applies to Metalica’s Enter Sandman which is presented in a similar fashion just with a simple guitar accompaniment by Wakenius ,but whole palette of vocalise techniques employed there, from groaning and snarling through wailing incantation reaching areas of high pitch scream makes her interpretation almost impossible to imagine. The fact that she has no struggle to fill the gap left by heavy metal band with just her own voice speaks for itself. I can not feel there anything lacked myself.

Guitarist’s Breakfast In Baghdad is a wonderful and hi-drive piece ,with vital beat set up on traditional oriental rhythm. Duo seems to understand each other perfectly – and Nah’s singing is nothing but brilliant. Artist’s own compositions are sharing this modern dynamic vitality represented by him and all together constitute the core of this recording.

Traditional Korean Kangwondo Arirang together with Song of Regret and closing La Chanson d’Helene, sung as a French origin, are perfectly balanced counterpoint for the most dynamic parts on this recording and set up the mood permanently.

Especially trumpet’s inter-medium after words and Ulf’s guitar walking reminding late M. Davis collaborations with J. Scofield. Paradoxically Terry Cox’s Moondog, a tribute to Louis Hardin – famous modern Viking from New York streets, became the most jazzy piece of music on this tremendous recording. Obviously only from the arrangement point of view. As original is not at all ,it is quite a surprise. But to be completely honest with you not more than the others.

This record is a whole festival of surprises and what a surprises they are. I don’t like giving stars , but even if I liked it would be hard to decide here. So individual it is that it deserves highest intimacy . Can not recommend it enough.

Plus extraordinary recording quality, a hallmark of ACT Music pays the justice fully to the unique artistic quality.

Barb Jungr -just like a women{a hymn to Nina}(2008) Label:Linn Records [BKD 309] / VOCAL
Josef & Erica - FLOODS (2011) Label: HooB Records / FOLK,ELECTRO,EXPERIMENTAL

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Recent Posts

  • [ February the 10th, 2023 release via Arjuna Music: Samuel Rohrer – Codes Of Nature ] 6th February 2023
  • [ February the 9th, 2023 release via Ayler Records: Satoko Fujii & Otomo Yoshihide – Perpetual Motion] 4th February 2023
  • [ February the 3rd, 2023 release via Troubadour Jass Records: Delfeayo Marsalis – Uptown on Mardi Gras Day ] 1st February 2023
  • [ January 27, 2023 release on Traumton Records: Frederik Köster / Die Verwandlung – STUFEN ] 26th January 2023
  • [January 27, 2023 release via Thanatosis Produktion:Tomas Hallonsten – Monolog] 21st January 2023

Links

International team of music photographers
Music Photographers Collective by Encore Seven

Traumton
Traumton

Hubro
Hubro

Thanatosis
Thanatosis

Turtle Bay Records
Turtle Bay

Ramble Records
Ramble Records

Kilogram Records
Kilogram Records

Fenomedia
Fenomedia

ForTune
ForTune

Not Two Records
Not Two Records

Barefoot Records
Barefoot Records

FrenchRecordCompany
frenchrecordcompany
(c) All rights reserved
  • Contact
  • GPoint Audio