What makes From Bessie to Brazil by Susannah McCorkle notable?

This album is notable for its unique fusion of American jazz with Brazilian bossa nova, which helped broaden the appeal of both genres. It received critical acclaim, being recognized by publications such as JazzTimes, and showcased McCorkle's versatility, earning her a place in discussions about genre innovation in the early '90s. When 'From Bessie to Brazil' was released in 1993, Susannah McCorkle was established as a prominent jazz vocalist, known for her ability to bridge traditional standards with contemporary styles. This album followed her earlier work and marked a significant exploration of Brazilian music, reflecting both her artistic growth and the influence of world music on jazz during this era.

How many songs are on From Bessie to Brazil?

From Bessie to Brazil has 14 tracks, running approximately 59 minutes.

From Bessie to Brazil

Susannah McCorkle · 1993

59 min · 14 tracks · jazz

A vibrant blend of jazz standards and Brazilian influences, showcasing rich vocals and intricate arrangements.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
The Waters of March — This track exemplifies the seamless integration of Brazilian rhythms with McCorkle's lyrical delivery, capturing the essence of both cultures beautifully.
→
How Deep is the Ocean? — Her interpretation brings a fresh emotional depth to this classic, highlighting her vocal range and connection to the material.
→
Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive — McCorkle's upbeat rendition infuses joy into the song while also showcasing her playful vocal style against a lively arrangement.
→
Adeus America — This closing track reflects on themes of nostalgia and farewell, embodying the album’s overarching narrative of cultural exchange and personal reflection.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album blends jazz and Brazilian influences effectively, showcasing strong vocals and arrangements, though its cohesion is somewhat uneven.

What we noticed

Vocals are prominent throughout, with McCorkle's voice often layered over intricate instrumental arrangements that include horns and piano.
Tracks like 'The Waters of March' and 'Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive' showcase shifts in tempo and mood, creating dynamic contrasts within the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Love 3:33
2 The People That You Never Get to Love 4:47
3 Thief in the Night 3:49
4 The Waters of March 4:01
5 Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive 4:05
6 How Deep is the Ocean? 4:07
7 The Lady Is a Tramp 4:56
8 Quality Time 4:24
9 My Sweetie Went Away 3:19
10 Still Crazy After All These Years 4:16
11 Adeus America 6:13
12 That Ole Devil Called Love 2:37
13 Hit the Road to Dreamland 5:19
14 You Go to My Head 4:09

What to play next

Listen next

From Broadway to Bebop

1994

Go back to

I'll Take Romance

1992

Full Susannah McCorkle discography Artists like Susannah McCorkle

jazz

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata