Something for Grace

Last updated
Something for Grace
Something for Grace.jpg
Studio album by
Released1997
Genre Jazz
Label Atlantic Jazz [1]
Regina Carter chronology
Regina Carter
(1995)
Something for Grace
(1997)
Rhythms of the Heart
(1999)

Something for Grace is an album by the American violinist Regina Carter, released in 1997. [2] [3] It is dedicated to her mother. [4] Carter supported the album by playing the Newport Jazz Festival. [5]

Contents

Production

The album was produced by Arif Mardin and Carter, among others. [6] "I'll Write a Song for You" is a cover of the Earth, Wind & Fire song. [7] "Listen Here" is a cover of the Eddie Harris song; it was a hit on jazz radio stations. [8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]

JazzTimes wrote: "Carter's 'voice' is sometimes overwhelmed by urban/R&B trappings like the programmed snap-and-slap coldness of 'Late Night Mood' and the too-slick soup 'Hide & Seek'—but there are enough captivating highlights here to keep things interesting." [11] The Washington Post noted that, "with both her pen and bow, Carter is able to imbue her music with rhythmic spirit and an all-embracing spirituality, as the album's title track makes clear." [12]

The Virginian-Pilot called the album a "smorgasbord of radio-friendly jazz—from the melodic to the improvisational." [13] The Omaha World-Herald dismissed it as "mere funky fusion." [14]

AllMusic wrote that "Carter's haunting ballad 'Reflections' deserves to become a standard." [9]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Downtown Underground" 
2."Listen Here" 
3."Day Dreamin' on the Niger" 
4."Reflections" 
5."Something for Grace" 
6."Soul Eyes" 
7."Late Night Mood" 
8."I'll Write a Song for You" 
9."Hide & Seek (Bahjee Bahjee)" 
10."Centro Habana" 

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References

  1. "Regina Carter, a fantastic jazz violinist...". The Washington Informer. No. 35. 11 June 1997. p. 8.
  2. Hadley, Frank-John (Dec 1997). "Something for Grace". DownBeat. Vol. 64, no. 12. pp. 76–77.
  3. "Regina Carter Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  4. Andrews, Laura (23 Apr 1998). "Violinist Regina Carter mesmerizes Schomburg crowd with style and grace". New York Amsterdam News. p. 29:1.
  5. Blumenthal, Bob (14 Aug 1998). "Takin' a Bow at Newport". The Boston Globe. p. C13.
  6. 1 2 MusicHound Jazz: The Essential Album Guide. Schirmer Trade Books. 1998. p. 210.
  7. Hunter, Jr., Al (29 July 1997). "They're Attached to Strings". Features Yo!. Philadelphia Daily News. p. 34.
  8. Bryant, Steve (29 July 1997). "Jazz musician incorporates the sounds of a violin". The Philadelphia Tribune. p. 4C.
  9. 1 2 "Regina Carter Something for Grace". AllMusic.
  10. Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 2. MUZE. p. 228.
  11. Grey, Hilarie. "Regina Carter: Something for Grace". JazzTimes.
  12. Joyce, Mike (20 Feb 1998). "'Something for Grace' by Regina Carter". The Washington Post. p. N10.
  13. Lake, Marvin (March 27, 1997). "Regina Carter, 'Something for Grace'". The Virginian-Pilot. p. E3.
  14. Smith, Will (June 1, 1997). "Although she has done some fine work elsewhere...". Entertainment. Omaha World-Herald. p. 10.