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IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE
ELISABETH WITHERS
It's not often that Broadway performers successfully make the transition
from the stage to the recording studio, but this songstress is well on her
way to do just that. A powerful voice and clever, reality laced lyrics has
allowed her to capture the ears and hearts of many including the Blue Note
Records brass, who signed her to a roster that includes jazz great
Cassandra Wilson. Who is Elisabeth Withers you ask? My first
introduction to her was while watching Oprah Winfrey's "Color Purple" on
Broadway, as Shug Avery she belted out notes that had me go home and look
her up on the internet. Evidently I wasn't the only one that noticed her
voice, my research led me to find out that she's been a back up singer for
Celine Dione, Cher, Luther Vandross, Mary J Blige and more and that's what
landed her on the Broadway stage and eventually a Tony nomination.
Ever since I first heard her I kept saying it would be interesting if she
ever decided to do an album, and fortunately for us earlier this year she
did just that.
"It Can Happen To Anyone" is her debut CD and it does not disappoint, from
the first note of the opening song Simple Things she rekindles
memories of Gladys Knight and other soul singers from the golden age of
R&B. I haven't heard anyone ever come that close to recapturing that sound
but she does and does so effortlessly. The album however is more than a
tribute to the bygone era as it's filled with plenty of modern influences,
some gospel, some pop and even rock, the title track It Can Happen
is the perfect example of this, part funk, part R&B and part soul. Other
stand outs include Heartstrings, Listen, and Next To You. |
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