queen latifah jazz

Lois Gilbert · October-1st-2004, 10:29 AM

Five albums and 15 years after her hard-hitting hip-hop debut All Hail the Queen, Queen Latifah is poised to release the jazz-obsessed The Dana Owens Album, in which she sings standards.

"This is definitely not a one-shot deal," the singer, whose real name is Dana Owens, told the Denver Post. "Hopefully, with the success of it, I'll be in it till I'm dead. I've always looked at singing as something I can do forever.

"I don't know if I can rap forever. I don't know that I can stay as hot as the hottest girl in the game."

It was her experience in the 1998 feature film Living Out Loud, co-starring Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito, that led to her new album. She played nightclub singer Liz Bailey and sang a couple of jazz standards.

Pete C · October-1st-2004, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

It was her experience in the 1998 feature film Living Out Loud, co-starring Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito, that led to her new album. She played nightclub singer Liz Bailey and sang a couple of jazz standards.

Did anybody see it? Was she any good?

jazzy mary · October-1st-2004, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

Five albums and 15 years after her hard-hitting hip-hop debut All Hail the Queen, Queen Latifah is poised to release the jazz-obsessed The Dana Owens Album, in which she sings standards.

"This is definitely not a one-shot deal," the singer, whose real name is Dana Owens, told the Denver Post. "Hopefully, with the success of it, I'll be in it till I'm dead. I've always looked at singing as something I can do forever.

"I don't know if I can rap forever. I don't know that I can stay as hot as the hottest girl in the game."

It was her experience in the 1998 feature film Living Out Loud, co-starring Holly Hunter and Danny DeVito, that led to her new album. She played nightclub singer Liz Bailey and sang a couple of jazz standards.

Ugh!!

stonemonkts · October-1st-2004, 11:41 AM

I will never be able to expunge the image I have of Latifah back when I first saw her on the Morton Downey, Jr. show, screaming like a banshee.

Pete C · October-1st-2004, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonemonkts

I will never be able to expunge the image I have of Latifah back when I first saw her on the Morton Downey, Jr. show, screaming like a banshee.

Was she screaming at Roy Innes?

stonemonkts · October-1st-2004, 12:27 PM

Haha.

No, she was screaming at all the yahoos in the audience, who were hooting at her or whatever you'd call the collective berating they rained on her.

I can still see her in a silk gown and a head piece/scarf thing, with Downey strutting to and fro with a cigarette dangling out of his ugly mug.

Valerie · October-1st-2004, 12:47 PM

I heard rumors that she recorded, "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy"!

jazzy mary · October-1st-2004, 01:23 PM

Pete is that a pic. of you?? Chris, I could see her as Bessie Smith--I would love to see that film.

Still, a jazz album? When we have so many great jazz singers..she tries to butt in...??!

Pete C · October-1st-2004, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

Pete is that a pic. of you?? !

It's my doppelganger.

cookie · October-1st-2004, 02:47 PM

I actually have a pretty good feeling about the Queen and jazz. She was decent enough in Chicago. We'll see what she comes up with.

Valerie · October-1st-2004, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie

I actually have a pretty good feeling about the Queen and jazz. She was decent enough in Chicago. We'll see what she comes up with.

You're always "decent" when it comes to everyone and everything, Cookie!!
I really appreciate you! Wish the hell I lived closer to you so I could actively support your talent!

Best,

Valerie

cookie · October-1st-2004, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valerie

You're always "decent" when it comes to everyone and everything, Cookie!!
I really appreciate you! Wish the hell I lived closer to you so I could actively support your talent!

Best,

Valerie

Aww..that's sweet! Thanks, Valerie.

frankiepop · October-2nd-2004, 10:14 AM

thumbs up so far...queen latifah cd entitled 'dana owens' is a jazzy release that might be described as in the tradition of torch singing. i tracked through a couple songs so far and i find it pretty good. latifah seems a suprisingly superior to most pop stars that i have heard enter torch songs. offhand, i cant think of any who were this interesting in style or voice.

what i heard may have fooled me and i might have guessed jazz singers in a blindfold test. latifah is probably is better than some of the 'jazz' singers that big record companies have promoted as 'jazz stars' in recent years.

Pete C · October-2nd-2004, 10:21 AM

See thread in News.

cookie · October-2nd-2004, 11:45 AM

Well, f'pop, somebody said something nice to me (Valerie, not Lois), and so I said thanks because it was nice. I hope your puke cleared your system of your bile and vitriol.

I *also* said that I think Queen Latifah might turn out a decent jazz record. She's got the soul and isn't a bad singer.

I bought Jill Scott's new disc and one of the tunes is a straight-ahead jazz tune with a raging big band. I loved it. The woman can swing.

I think that of the different pop stars who try their hand at singing jazz, those coming out of rap and r&b have the potential to be the best by virtue of their soul and rhythmic feel. Too many pop stars recording standards don't understand the *feeling* of jazz.

I plan to check out Dana Owens.

xquisit · October-2nd-2004, 12:37 PM

I'll give it a try.

x

GoodSpeak · October-2nd-2004, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie

I hope your puke cleared your system of your bile and vitriol.

Fat chance.

But hey...it's the best he's got, so I think we give him a break.

[BTW, Queen Latifah needs to go a looooong way in convincing me she's not the gangsta rap mistress of the record industry.]

Jimmy Cantiello · October-2nd-2004, 11:20 PM

I see something in Queen Latifah that goes beyond a "flash in the pan". This woman has talent and charisma, IMO. Besides, her real name is Dana, same as my daughter....................

Lois Gilbert · October-3rd-2004, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookie

Well, f'pop, somebody said something nice to me (Valerie, not Lois), and so I said thanks because it was nice. I hope your puke cleared your system of your bile and vitriol.

I *also* said that I think Queen Latifah might turn out a decent jazz record. She's got the soul and isn't a bad singer.

I bought Jill Scott's new disc and one of the tunes is a straight-ahead jazz tune with a raging big band. I loved it. The woman can swing.

I think that of the different pop stars who try their hand at singing jazz, those coming out of rap and r&b have the potential to be the best by virtue of their soul and rhythmic feel. Too many pop stars recording standards don't understand the *feeling* of jazz.

I plan to check out Dana Owens.

Sorry I deleted Frankiepop's "repulsion" of a love fest going on in the news which as you pointed out Cookie
a) was between you and Valerie (although I might have to join in on occassion)
b) was probably just jealous that he didn't start the thread

Anyway they're merged. So Frankiepop - instead of merging maybe you'll have to do some purging (smile)

mke · October-3rd-2004, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoodSpeak

[BTW, Queen Latifah needs to go a looooong way in convincing me she's not the gangsta rap mistress of the record industry.]

Queen Latifah, gangsta rap?

Sergio Zamora · October-3rd-2004, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mke

Queen Latifah, gangsta rap?

Yeah, I've been laughing since I read that.

Pete C · October-3rd-2004, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

Still, a jazz album? When we have so many great jazz singers..she tries to butt in...??!

What kind of comment is that?

I'm listening now, and it's damn good--a mix of jazz, soul & blues, with very smart production by Arif Mardin. I'm impressed.

Also, I think the fact that it is indded a mix of things, rather than a pure jazz or standards album, was a smart choice.

Pete C · October-3rd-2004, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankiepop

latifah is probably is better than some of the 'jazz' singers that big record companies have promoted as 'jazz stars' in recent years.

Yes, I agree, but with one less is.

chuckyd4 · October-3rd-2004, 11:39 PM

I agree with Pete - I was equally impressed when we played it in the store the other day. Not the greatest vocal album out there, but neither is it lightweight fluff. The girl has clearly done her homework.

I'm also intrigued by the idea of her playing Bessie Smith. From what I've heard, sounds like a good candidate.

Sergio Zamora · October-3rd-2004, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

Still, a jazz album? When we have so many great jazz singers..she tries to butt in...??!

While as a general comment, I would disagree with this sentiment, to a certain extent I understand your point.

I don't buy a lot of vocal jazz albums. If I do buy one, I would not look at something like this one first. Instead, I'd first look at singers who have honed their craft over a longer period of time and have paid their dues. Not out of any belief in sanctity of purity of the artform, but simply because I would expect them to be better.

Lois Gilbert · October-4th-2004, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzy mary

Still, a jazz album? When we have so many great jazz singers..she tries to butt in...??!

I would disagree with you here Jazzy. As far as I'm concerned the more jazz the better. Maybe it works and maybe it doesn't - but if one person who never bought a jazz album buys Queen Latifah's and decides to investigate further that's one more jazz fan.

Also the publicity she has generated for doing this album is great for all jazz.

I have always liked her voice and she occasionally sang standards on Living Single.

I don't understand the problem...

PS Who is Dana Owens?

mke · October-4th-2004, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

PS Who is Dana Owens?

Queen Latifah is, surprisingly, not her real name.

Squaredancecalling Steve · October-4th-2004, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

Who is Dana Owens?

Queen Latifa -- it's in first post in the thread, Lois, posted by... Hmm, you're not on your own ignore list, are you?

gonzo · October-4th-2004, 04:36 AM

didn't dig it...

Lois Gilbert · October-4th-2004, 05:12 AM

You're right Squaredance I have me on my ignore list - duh

it would however be most interesting if she didn't include a picture and just said Dana Owens or used a different name - how would the cd be judged then. I'll take me off my ignore list in case I wrote this before (smile)