Abbey Lincoln - That's Him
List Price:
Our Price: $6.39
You Save: $5.59 (47%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $4.71 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Artist: Abbey LincolnEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1991-07-01
Music Label: Riverside
Soundtracks:
- Strong Man
- Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe
- My Man
- Tender As A Rose
- That's Him
- I Must Have That Man
- I Must Have That Man (Take 3)
- Porgy
- Porgy (Take 1)
- When A Woman Loves A Man
- Don't Explain
Music reviews of That's Him
Music Review: Ignore the party line: this is her best.
Rating: 5 Stars
The recent passing of Abbey Lincoln led me to reviewing the bulk of her discography, downloading tracks from 10-12 albums. Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised that the narrative that has been most widely published about her characterizes her as a "puppet" of producers eager to exploit her physical beauty, resulting in the image of a lightweight "supper club" singer, a sex kitten, etc. who then, courageously if not miraculously, began to "transform" herself into an "original" after meeting Roach and recording "Straight Ahead" and "The Freedom Now Suite." But it's primarily her work beginning in the mid to late '80s, recordings focusing exclusively on her own songs and poetry, that won for her a fairly enthusiastic, feminist-leaning fan base.
To a less politically minded listener, and one who appreciates the purely musical values of the jewels of the American Songbook, the foregoing narrative doesn't play out that neatly. She's in good, if not better, voice on this early recording (her 2nd) than on most that were to follow (though the 2 aforementioned albums with Roach can be recommended for the contributions of Coleman Hawkins just as the later "You Gotta Pay the Band" has the added appeal of Stan Getz). But "That's Him" has an all-star line up itself (Roach, Dorham, Rollins, Chambers, Wynton Kelley). The tune "Strong Man" was written by Oscar Brown Jr. to counter some of the other tunes like "Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe," torch ballads with a masochistic text-- the familiar theme of a woman unable to stop loving a no good, unfaithful jerk (or even worse when considering another of the tracks, "My Man," with its references to brutality, promiscuity, misogyny).
As much as many of us would prefer a love partner like the one in "Strong Man," the remaining "masochistic" songs on the date resonate more memorably, the very force of Abbey's charm, charisma, and somewhat "raw" vocal quality at once seducing the listener and serving notice that she was, in fact, far from anyone's patsy. Art, including music and jazz singing, is primarily a function of form, not of content.
Abbey's is a voice I find hard to stay with for extended stretches. As I listened to the recordings and read the 3-page NY Times obit, I couldn't help but wonder if the passing of a supremely gifted singer like Etta Jones (who died in October 2002, just 2-years short of a 60-year career) had even received any notice from the publication. (The question was largely prompted by comparing Abbey's version of "Crazy He Calls Me" with Etta's far more assured reading.) Several years ago on the Tavis Smiley Show, Abbey was quick to answer in the affirmative when asked if she considered herself a "performance artist" as much as a jazz singer. She spoke candidly about her theatrical approach and the advantage she enjoyed over other singers because of her acting experience (she's radiant opposite Poitier in "For the Love of Ivie"). She also stated quite unmistakably that if in the public's mind "you're supposed to be an original" it can only be good for business to fulfill the public's expectations.
While I may differ with those who place Abbey Lincoln in the same company as Ella, Sarah, Carmen, Billie, etc., there's no denying that she was an original.
More That's Him free music reviews:
1
1
Description of That's Him
All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.Broadway & Vocalists CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Broadway & Vocalists CDs
George Shearing, Mel Torme - Elegant EveningSHEARING,G/TORME,M; Release date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $6.33
Price in other shops:
Stan Getz - Spring Is HereRelease date: 1993-01-11; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Rosemary Clooney - Girl SingerRelease date: 1999-04-01; Music CD
Best price: $8.97
Price in other shops:
The Blenders - NogRelease date: 1998-10-20; Music CD
Best price: $8.77
Price in other shops:
Brave Combo, Tiny Tim - GirlTIM,TINY/BRAVE COMB; Release date: 1996-03-19; Music CD
Best price: $15.07
Price in other shops:
Belleville a Cappella Choir - Southern Journey, Vol. 11: Honor The Lamb - The Belleville A Cappella ChoirRelease date: 1998-02-10; Music CD
Best price: $83.93
Diane Schuur - Love SongsRelease date: 1993-05-11; Music CD
Best price: $4.25
Price in other shops:
![Love Is the Thing [Vinyl] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
Nat King Cole - Love Is the Thing [Vinyl]Release date: 1996-11-19; Music CD
Best price: $169.99
Linda Ronstadt - Linda Ronstadt: Greatest HitsRelease date: 1998-01-13; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Buddy Rich, Sammy Davis Jr - Sounds of 66Release date: 1996-09-17; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Similar CDs
Abbey Lincoln - Affair: A Story Of A Girl in LoveRelease date: 1993-08-10; Music CD
Best price: $39.99
Charlie Haden, Keith Jarrett - JasmineRelease date: 2010-05-25; Music CD
Best price: $10.60
Price in other shops:
Abbey Lincoln - Talking to the SunRelease date: 1993-06-23; Music CD
Best price: $8.94
Price in other shops:
Abbey Lincoln - Abbey Sings BillieRelease date: 1993-06-24; Music CD
Best price: $9.80
Price in other shops:
Max Roach - We Insist! Max Roach's Freedom Now SuiteRelease date: 1988-01-01; Music CD
Best price: $10.95
Price in other shops:
Abbey Lincoln - Straight AheadRelease date: 2003-03-11; Music CD
Best price: $10.12
Price in other shops:
Abbey Lincoln - Abbey Sings AbbeyRelease date: 2007-05-22; Music CD
Best price: $8.95
Price in other shops:
Abbey Lincoln - Turtle's DreamRelease date: 1995-06-06; Music CD
Best price: $18.33
Abbey Lincoln, Stan Getz - You Gotta Pay the BandRelease date: 1991-10-22; Music CD
Best price: $28.19
Abbey Lincoln - Abbey Is BlueRelease date: 1991-07-01; Music CD
Best price: $6.34
Price in other shops: