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  3. 138194-1973

Kandace Springs - Indigo, the long awaited sequel to Soul Eyes

Oh well, the title of this OP is misleading as Indigo would not be considered a sequel.  This is Springs carving out a style to set herself apart.  Let's face it there is a rich stable of young female songstresses.  Krall, Jones, Souza, Mardot and numerous others are well known to many.

I first learned of Kandace thanks to an Audiogoner.  Thanks again!  I've had her first offering, "Soul Eyes" on CD for months and I don't think I've yet to place it in the CD rack.  I just keep wanting to listen to it.  Soul Eyes has a "sound" not unlike most of the aforementioned ladies.  Indigo is stylistically more diverse.  In that sense it is interesting for its production values.  The engineering of each song has its own sound.  Some cuts have a healthy and effective use of reverb where others are more matter of fact and dry.  

Instincts are one quality that most successful people follow to positive outcomes.  "Soul Eyes" is great for the bluesy jazz album that it is with very tastefully written melodies and mature lyrics.  "Indigo" is a collection of songs of very different musical styles and they all seem to work.  Good instincts!  The song "Love Sucks" starts off with an instrumental sound like the famous dance scene from "Pulp Fiction" with Travolta and Thurman dancing at Jack Rabbit Slims.  Fun stuff.  Kandace has musical flex. Roberta Flacks iconic "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is performed as straight as an arrow.  No pretense.  She just sings it beautifully not trying to recreate it, but rather to honor it.

 I'm gonna keep loving "Soul Eyes" but "Indigo" is sticking around and will be in residence on my turntable for a while as I continue to appreciate it fully.

Lest I forget, both albums on Blue Note are lovingly recorded.  "Soul Eyes" is a bit thicker sounding instrumentally whereas "Indigo" is more open and sparser.  Again, both work.  Enjoy!
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hifiman5 OP
1,832 posts
 
@mental  So glad you are enjoying Kandace.  If you don't already have exposure to her, Melody Gardot!!  If you want to try her music out I would suggest "My One and Only Thrill". Get the UK 2CD special edition.  I now have all of her albums.  Love each one.  The reason for the UK is getting the studio disc along with another CD with several tracks recorded live in Paris.  Great recordings of a uniquely beautiful singer.  

Her back story is amazing. She was riding a bike in her home town of Philly and was hit by a driver.  She was in the hospital for over a year and indulged in music as therapy.  She has permanent brain damage in the form of photosensitivity.  Every picture you are likely to see of her she will be wearing shades.  I believe she still uses a cane to assist in walking.

I know you don't listen to her story but I find it compelling nonetheless.  As you work through her albums from "Worrisome Heart" up to the present, you can hear her develop as an artist becoming more experimental along the way.

If you want to go to the ultimate, I believe "My One and Only Thrill" is available on a 45 rpm LP.      
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hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5 OP
1,832 posts
 
@mental  I hope you enjoy her as much as I do.  Kandace and Melody's works have yet to find their way to my music shelves.  I listen to them too often!
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hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5 OP
1,832 posts
 
@mental   So happy you are enjoying Melody.  I have everyone of her albums and like each one.  "Worrisome Heart", her debut release is the straightest bluesy jazz of the bunch.  After the sophomore "My One and Only Thrill" her releases get a little more experimental as she creates an album-like identity to each one.  All fine albums!

If you are looking for another interesting lady vocalist, you might want to give Karen Souza a try.  She has a real sultry approach to her vocals.  I would recommend "The Complete Collection".  It is a three CD release.  The first disc is all covers of famous songs.  Nobody is out of bounds on that disc.  She takes on Strawberry Fields, Billie Jean, Tainted Love etc.  She is very different.  I really enjoy listening to her when I'm in the mood for something different.  Think of it this way...she has unique approaches to songs much in the same way as Patricia Barber.

If you are not into her yet I'd give her a shot first.  You might start with "Cafe Blue" the "unmastered" version on SACD if you do SACD.  (This is one of the best discs I have for sonics - First frickin' rate!). If not the CD of Cafe Blue should be great.
 
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