New Moon Daughter
Cassandra Wilson · 1995
61 min · 12 tracks · jazz
Cassandra Wilson blends jazz, folk, and blues with an emotive vocal delivery that transcends traditional genre boundaries.
Top tracks — play these first
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Strange Fruit — This haunting rendition transforms the poignant lyrics into a powerful statement on racial injustice, showcasing Wilson's ability to merge history with profound emotion.
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Love Is Blindness — Wilson's interpretation of this U2 classic adds a smoky, blues-infused depth that highlights the song's themes of longing and despair.
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I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry — Her soulful take on this Hank Williams standard captures a deep sense of melancholy, illustrating her unique vocal style and emotional range.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Cassandra Wilson's innovative blend of genres and emotive vocals create a distinctive sound that stands out in jazz.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a haunting rendition of 'Strange Fruit', featuring sparse instrumentation that highlights Wilson's vocal delivery.
- Tracks often blend jazz with elements of folk and blues, creating a unique sound that shifts between styles without losing cohesion.
- Several songs incorporate unconventional arrangements, such as the use of strings and percussion that deviate from traditional jazz formats.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- introspective late-night listening
- emotional depth in every track
- simmering unease throughout album
- patient storytelling with warmth
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat party atmosphere
- prefer short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'New Moon Daughter' was released in 1995, Cassandra Wilson was already established as a prominent voice in jazz, following her acclaimed album 'Blue Light 'Til Dawn'. This record further solidified her artistic vision, showcasing her ability to reinterpret songs across genres and expand her musical palette while embracing deeper emotional themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Diana Krall· Norah Jones· Esperanza Spalding
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Strange Fruit 5:35
- 2 Love Is Blindness 4:53
- 3 Solomon Sang 5:56
- 4 Death Letter 4:14
- 5 Skylark 4:08
- 6 Find Him 4:39
- 7 I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry 4:51
- 8 Last Train to Clarksville 5:16
- 9 Until 6:30
- 10 A Little Warm Death 5:45
- 11 Memphis 5:05
- 12 Harvest Moon 5:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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