Leilani

Leilani Wolfgramm explores themes about people's internal struggles with materialism and habitual practices that enable an empty sense of self. Her lyrics are quite critical of the current state of society while at the same time she is still able to showcase her soul-infused vocal abilities on this album. ’Live Wire’ turns a critical eye on the perils of a culture where we continually chase the dragon of artifice and public approval, numb to the agony of it all, until we ultimately implode.

Edith, ventitré anni, afroamericana, condivide un appartamento a Bushwick, Brooklyn, lavora in una casa editrice ma ha una predilezione per la pittura, e sceglie solo uomini sbagliati. Nelle prime pagine la troviamo a chattare con Eric, un archivista digitale quarantenne in piena crisi di mezza età, di cui diventa l'amante. Eric ha un matrimonio aperto, e il sesso diventa così per Edith il campo dove verificare la distanza che la separa dagli altri: lei è nera, giovanissima e senza soldi; sente il peso delle parole altrui - superficiali, irrispettose, cattive -, che sanciscono l'impossibilità di superarla, quella distanza. La situazione precipita e si fa esplosiva quando Edith perde il lavoro e, inaspettatamente, trova un'imprevedibile alleata nella moglie di Eric, Rebecca, che la invita a stare in casa loro, in un sobborgo molto bianco ed elegante del New Jersey. Anche se l'invito non è disinteressato..

Show tunes provide a multitude of reference material for the traditional vintage jazz or pop vocalist. Then there are movie themes, more familiar to the general public, especially when they were seen later on a modern invention called television. This collection of 26 tracks features a modicum of jazz, but mainly pop tunes from the Golden Era of the '30s, '40s, and '50s. Big bands are prevalent as the backup groups, sometimes including strings, with little instrumental improvisation and stock charts. Among the most famous of these sentimental journey songs are "Moon River" from Billy May, "Call Me Irresponsible" by Bobby Darin, Dean Martin's slightly sloshed "Baby, It's Cold Outside," and Nat King Cole's "Mona Lisa" and his actually hip "The Continental" (two of three Cole selections heard here). There are also two from Johnny Mandel with the Pied Pipers, "Swinging on a Star" by Freddie Slack, a young Nancy Wilson with "Secret Love," and soupier group vocal pieces from the King Sisters, Bob Hope with the Clark Sisters, the Lettermen, the Four Freshmen, and Ray Anthony with the Belvederes on the apropos "Thanks for the Memory." Overall, this is nothing more than a trip down that lane of reminiscence for those familiar with the old dirt road path to grandma's, now a superhighway.

Japanese original release. First box set of Andy Williams includes seven original albums "Canadian Sunset," "To You Sweetheart, Aloha," "Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes," "Days of Wine and Roses and Other TV Requests," "The Wonderful World of Andy Williams," "The Academy Award-Winning Call Me Irresponsible and Other Hit Songs from the Movies," and "The Great Songs from "My Fair Lady" and Other Broadway Hits" plus a bonus disc with Japanese version(s) of songs, rare tracks, and more. Features remastering and cardboard sleeve faithfully replicating its US LP jacket design. Comes with lyrics and a description.