Turtle's Dream

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Since her 1960 recording for Candid, Abbey Lincoln has brought an unequaled passion to the jazz vocal art, an ability to invest words with special shades of meaning that recalls the spirit of Billie Holiday. Her talent has long been appreciated more by musicians than by a large general audience (perhaps because her work is so focused on maximizing the emotional potential of a lyric rather than on treating the voice as an instrument, as many jazz singers do). That respect is reciprocal: her work has always featured the finest musicians, from Eric Dolphy to Stan Getz. Lincoln composed most of the music and lyrics on this 1994 set, and each song is a journey into the self, into the wellsprings of life, from loss to joy. Her accompanists rise to the emotional occasion: fine moments are contributed by Kenny Barron, Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Roy Hargrove, saxophonist Julien Lourau, and Lincoln's frequent accompanist, pianist Rodney Kendrick. --Stuart Broomer

Tracks:

Throw It Away
A Turtle's Dream
Down Here Below
Nature Boy
Avec Le Temps
Should've Been
My Love Is You
Storywise
Hey, Lordy Mama
Not To Worry
Being Me

Amazon.com

Since her 1960 recording for Candid, Abbey Lincoln has brought an unequaled passion to the jazz vocal art, an ability to invest words with special shades of meaning that recalls the spirit of Billie Holiday. Her talent has long been appreciated more by musicians than by a large general audience (perhaps because her work is so focused on maximizing the emotional potential of a lyric rather than on treating the voice as an instrument, as many jazz singers do). That respect is reciprocal: her work has always featured the finest musicians, from Eric Dolphy to Stan Getz. Lincoln composed most of the music and lyrics on this 1994 set, and each song is a journey into the self, into the wellsprings of life, from loss to joy. Her accompanists rise to the emotional occasion: fine moments are contributed by Kenny Barron, Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Roy Hargrove, saxophonist Julien Lourau, and Lincoln's frequent accompanist, pianist Rodney Kendrick. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Mesmerizing and healing.......2005-02-01

I saw Abbey when I had just graduated college at the old Iridium Club and I bought this cd because she did seem quite unusual to me. But in fact, I then put it away for many years, finding it a little melancholy. I dug it up two years ago and realized that I was just too young at the time to 'get' it. It is a hauntingly beautiful and wise album. She does not have a 'pretty' voice, but it is a mesmerizing voice that holds you and brings forth fully the meaning of each and every word that she says. Her lyrics are so significant and personal, you can't turn away from someone who is sharing such inner soul with you. The title song, Down Here Below, Not to Worry, and Being Me are my favorites- I just get enveloped in them when they are playing. You simply don't hear a collection of songs this beautiful and individual anymore. And as a side note, I have since seen Ms. Lincoln in several live performances at Jazz at Lincoln Center and she is just the hippest, most graceful, classy individual there is. A true artist.

Glorious........2003-06-04

I got this CD when I was about a year into my first real job, and it was exceedingly stressful and miserable -- the job, that is -- and this CD carried me through it. It is intensely and contagiously reflective, listening to this CD forced me out of my day-to-day drudgery and made me think about bigger, more significant things. After things cooled down at work I put it away for about 6 years. I just recently listened to it again and it still packs a wallop!

Miss Abbey was on some other stuff when she crafted this CD. She is the voice of experience and wisdom. There is nothing superficial about "A Turtle's Dream". She wrote most of the songs, and though they would be impressive sung by anyone, she invests each lyric with staggering pathos and clarity. Standouts are "Being Me", "Throw It Away" and the devastating title song. I love "Avec Le Temps" and I can't speak French so I have no idea what she's singing but it sounds so wonderful. Apparently, this song is a much-recorded French-language standard and I've been advised by one of my snotty French friends that Abbey's French diction is very coarse, but even he loves her version of the song. Also, she does a particularly noteworthy version of "Nature Boy". A pleasant pop standard in the hands of the great Nat "King" Cole, this song has since invited a number of loopy, idiosyncratic interpretations, but again Abbey sticks to the lyric and comes up with a real winner. In creating the mood, Lincoln is aided enormously by stellar musicians, most notably Rodney Kendrick, Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Roy Hargrove, and Julien Lourau. My one caveat would be that the CD is overwhelmingly melancholy -- not maudlin, just pensive. So it's not the best CD for a day at the beach.

Unbelievable!.......2003-03-12

Looking for the meaning of life? Trying to unwind after a long day? Want to understand the mysteries of love? Want to feel a little more spiritual? Then this is the album to listen to. Abbey Lincoln's A Turtle's Dream is one of the most remarkable albums ever. It is so peaceful and profound. If it doesn't move you, you have no soul!

Get connected.......2002-05-24

I think that music can instill more emotion than anything else in life.

There are just a few songs that I can say filled me with so much emotion that they became a part of my life forever. Abby Lincoln's "Down Here Below" is certainly one of those songs. Thank you Ms. Lincoln.

From deep within.......2002-03-10

This is the first Abbey Lincon CD I've had. It was recommended in a New York times article. She is a wonderment. Both in song selection and in her connection with the lyrics and music, she is so focused, so concentrated, so inside what she's doing. Even after listening many times, this CD keeps revealing it's many surprises...not to be missed.

Average customer rating:

Cheerful, Open and Frank
Libby Creates a Standard for Love
Touches the soul.
beautiuflly written
Laugh, cry, sing, dance

If You See a Dream
Libby Roderick
Manufacturer: Turtle Island
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music

Singer Songwriters | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B0000000DZ
Release Date: 1994-07-26

Tracks:

When I Hear Music
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Customer Reviews:

Cheerful, Open and Frank.......2003-01-30

Libby Roderick's voice is low, open and friendly. The minute you put her in your stereo, you feel as though she's singing just to you - a bright, sunny voice annunciating with perfect clarity.

Her songs come across as those of a woman on a mission. No vague lyrics here! Each uplifting song says what it means and means what it says. The liberal-minded themes include women's struggles, women's power, an end to racism, and people's right to be homosexual. All of the songs are delivered with optimism and cheer - far from militant. Very cheerful.

My favorite songs, though, are the spiritual ones. GRANDFATHER SUN is an absolutely inspiring prayer for every man and woman to find spiritual contentment in their times of pain. You'll sing along with it, you'll feel it, you'll believe it. It's a great song.

IF YOU SEE A DREAM is my favorite of Libby Roderick's albums, though she's made a number of close runners-up. This cheering, optimistic CD is probably the one of hers I reach for the most often.

Libby Creates a Standard for Love.......2002-08-10

This CD contains Libby's signatuire song "How Could Anyone", used in workshops and therapy sessions worldwide. For this song alone, it is a CD to be heard. It is also an excellent opportunity to meet Libby and get acquainted with her music, then go on to her other CDs and watch her mature, but never deviate from her values. Beautiful voice, wonderful songwriter.

Touches the soul........2001-11-14

Many people are introduced to Libby through the song "How Could Anyone" - and it remains a favorite. It reaches through layers of masks and pain and touches a part of you that laid unnoticed for far, far too long.

Libby is a songwriter beyond compare.

beautiuflly written.......2001-01-29

This is the best music I have heard in a long time. I think that every man and woman should listen to this music. What she says is true. It goes into your heart and souol and explains how things should be.

Laugh, cry, sing, dance.......1999-08-22

I first heard Libby in concert several years and ago and this CD remains one of my perpetual favorites. "How Could Anyone Ever Tell You... " has become my anthem, and a sacred chant in my life. And "Cradle of Dawn" has become the signature for my long term correspondence with a friend on the other side of the planet. Each cut has it's glory.... pure magic!