With the soundtrack to Divine Secrets of
the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, producer T Bone
Burnett has compiled another gently nostalgic gem. Filled with covers of
jazz standards, sparse blues picking, and traditional Cajun pieces, Sisterhood
matches Brother in ambiance and impeccable musicianship. The highlights
are numerous: Bob
Dylan's lively song waltzes with a raspy narrative, Lauryn
Hill uses acoustic plucking to complement her soulful croon, and Bob
Schneider contributes an understated love-ballad rumbling with piano. Even
the cover songs are first-rate; Macy
Gray jive-jumps through a faithful Billie
Holiday cover, and Tony
Bennett slows things down with a dapper and distinguished Nat
"King" Cole homage. Despite the diffuse genres covered, the
superior quality of Sisterhood's songs renders these differences
negligible, and the album's pacing ensures a pleasing alternation of styles
that never lags. In fact, there's nary a bad song on the entire album. The
divine secret's out--Sisterhood is an essential listen. --Annie
Zaleski..AMAZON..
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