{"id":11837,"date":"2024-05-31T12:14:58","date_gmt":"2024-05-31T14:44:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fredsrecords.com\/site\/?post_type=product&p=11837"},"modified":"2025-01-17T10:54:53","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T14:24:53","slug":"natasha-blackwood-love-songs-good-machines","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.fredsrecords.com\/site\/shop\/natasha-blackwood-love-songs-good-machines\/","title":{"rendered":"Natasha Blackwood – Love Songs for Good Machines"},"content":{"rendered":"

Natasha Blackwood has a quiet voice. There are plenty of \u2018brassy\u2019 voices among the best known women vocalists; Adele, Miley and Florence for starters but Natasha\u2019s voice is playful, coy and sassy, more aligned with Valerie June, Jill Barber or Eddi Reader (Fairground Attraction). And to describe her voice as \u2018quiet\u2019 is not to say it\u2019s meek, far from it. Natasha\u2019s voice is strong, confident and expressive.<\/p>\n

Having honed her craft with Jazz East Big Band and the wonderful Eastern Owl as well as contributing to over ten studio albums, the singer\/songwriter\/tenor sax\/pianist branched off solo in 2020, her debut album plans rudely interrupted by the Global Pandemic. That album, \u201cEase Back\u201d earned her nominations for two MUSICNL. Awards and an ECMA. Now she\u2019s back with \u201cLove Songs For Good Machines\u201d, a tasty collage of jazz, folk, contemporary pop songs. And this album is so much fun, several numbers reminiscent of 1940\u2019s\/early 1950\u2019s Hit Parade nuggets.<\/p>\n

The album opens with a fresh, boppin\u2019 track, \u201cWho Is It For\u201d, her quiet voice instantly compelling and at ease while \u201cHome To Me\u201d is joyous, bringing a smile to ones face with its pared down rhythm, catchy saxophone part and buoyant backing vocals, accentuating the shimmy in the shake. \u201cPleading Guilty\u201d is a perfect choice for an introductory single while \u201cThe Doctor\u201d delivers a vintage Booker T And the MG\u2019s groove. The title track features a lovely guitar solo from Duane Andrews and a beautifully balanced melody with a sweet bridge. \u201cMelita\u201d, a finger-snapping tune with Latino flavour and \u201cHappy Anniversary\u201d keep the cool vibe moving along nicely. \u201cLike Me Now\u201d is the album\u2019s softest number and sure to remind you of a vintage pop ballad that you can\u2019t quite put your finger on but has you feeling wistful. \u201cHow Long\u201d will put some \u2018pep in your step\u2019 and have you singing along. The album closes with Natasha\u2019s epic lyrical track, \u201cWomen\u2019s Lullaby\u201d, a contemplation on what it means to be a woman, a mom and good human being each and every day(and night) with a little help from Kellie Walsh and Lady Cove Women\u2019s Choir as well as a truly complimentary guitar part from Duane Andrews.<\/p>\n

\u201cLove Songs For Good Machines\u201d is a colorful, bright album from beginning to end. Natasha Blackwood proves herself a smart lyricist, her stories, anecdotes and ponderings on family emanating much joy. A recurring theme revolves around the idea that where you are may be the best place you can be and not be manipulated by the many yearnings that might just be messin\u2019 with your center of gravity. In other words, relax, accept and enjoy life\u2019s moments. What category do you file this record under? Duke Ellington once said, \u201cThere are only two kinds of music. Good music and bad music. Natasha Blackwood\u2019s is good music. Produced by JUNO winning artist, Amelia Curran. Graphics by award winning graphic-designer, Jud Haynes.<\/p>\n

Natasha Blackwood – Vocals, Tenor Saxophone<\/p>\n

Nicole Hand – Baritone Sax, Backup Vocals<\/p>\n

Lauren Strong – Trumpet, Backup Vocals<\/p>\n

Ryan Kennedy – Piano, Backup Vocals<\/p>\n

Duane Andrews – Acoustic Guitar<\/p>\n

Humberto Piccoli – Electric Guitar<\/p>\n

Paddy Byrne – Upright Bass<\/p>\n

Jeff Foran \u2013 Drums<\/p>\n