2006年VOA标准英语-Jazz Vocalist Wilson Releases Thunderbird

By Doug Levine
Washington
17 April 2006

Cassandra Wilson is one of today's most-respected jazz vocalists. That's interesting, because Cassandra Wilson's jazz is unlike anyone else's.

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Cassandra Wilson is anything but predictable. While her work has caused a stir, the jazz world was quick to jump on the Cassandra Wilson bandwagon. Releasing her first album 13 years ago, Cassandra avoided the traditional route to commercial jazz success by holding firm to her roots in pop and Delta¹ blues². Having not stayed on the straight and narrow, she's earned a supportive worldwide following, a Grammy Award, and the freedom to write, produce and record whatever she wants.

On her latest album "Thunderbird," Cassandra gives a tip of the hat to her Southern upbringing by way of this haunting³ rendition of the blues standard "C. C. Rider," renamed "Easy Rider."

"Thunderbird" marks Cassandra's first outing with producer T-Bone Burnett, who earned a Grammy Award for his work on the best-selling soundtrack album "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Cassandra calls him "a great producer who uses personal techniques in the studio to get the sounds he wants to get." That might explain why the album sounds more roots than jazz.

It's no secret that jazz has been taking a more personal direction in recent years. With younger artists incorporating⁴ their own influences, from pop and rock to folk and blues, jazz has become music's "melting pot," and that trend is likely here to stay.

One of Cassandra Wilson's musical heroes was Joni Mitchell, whose influence can be heard on this original composition about a psychic⁵ reading titled "Tarot," featuring Cassandra on lead vocals⁶ and guitar.

1 delta   

n.（流的）角洲

参考例句：

• He has been to the delta of the Nile.他曾去过尼罗河三角洲。
• The Nile divides at its mouth and forms a delta.尼罗河在河口分岔，形成了一个三角洲。

2 blues   

n.抑郁，沮丧；布鲁斯音乐

参考例句：

• She was in the back of a smoky bar singing the blues.她在烟雾弥漫的酒吧深处唱着布鲁斯歌曲。
• He was in the blues on account of his failure in business.他因事业失败而意志消沉。

3 haunting   

adj.萦绕心头的；不易忘怀的；无法甩脱的；给人以强烈感受的v.常去；缠扰（某人）；萦绕心头

参考例句：

• The film's haunting musical theme stayed in my head for days. 那部电影挥之不去的主题旋律多日来萦绕于我的脑际。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The carol has a primitive strength and haunting simplicity. 这首颂歌有一种原始的力量和令人难忘的纯朴。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 incorporating   

组成公司( incorporate的现在分词 )； 包含； 使混合； 使具体化

参考例句：

• Wallis has developed a simplified analysis incorporating the same approximation. 威利斯曾结合同样的假设，做出了一个简化的分析。
• Incorporating unique international filter technology to give a beautiful satisfying smooth cigarette. 结合独特的国际过滤技术提供一个美丽的满足顺利香烟。

5 psychic   

n.对超自然力敏感的人；adj.有超自然力的

参考例句：

• Some people are said to have psychic powers.据说有些人有通灵的能力。
• She claims to be psychic and to be able to foretell the future.她自称有特异功能，能预知未来。

6 vocals   

（乐曲中的）歌唱部份，声乐部份( vocal的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Also look out for soaring vocals on The Right Man. 另外，也可留意一下《意中人》中的那高亢的唱腔。
• Lazy bass line, lazier drums, lush violins, great piano and incomparable vocals. 懒惰的低音线，较懒惰的鼓，饮小提琴，棒的钢琴和无比的声音。