Esther Phillips - Burnin' (Live at Freddie Jett's Pied Piper Club, L.A.).

I am driving early this morning to meet a friend...8 inches of snow on the roads. Quiet, beautiful, sublime and I'm playing this. Esther Phillips is a complicated singer and this may be arguably her finest work. I don't buy that her voice is an acquired taste....you just have to listen.

This, from her transition album Burnin' (Live at Freddie Jett's Pied Piper Club, L.A.). Released  1970 on Atlantic, prior to her CTI/Kudo relationship...its safe to say her talent had been written off.  She was singing her way into obscurity. However - we have this album and this remarkable transition. The transition from talented but troubled teen singer and adult to an artist.   Few ever make that transition. Fewer still with the urgency of these performances. 

Personnel includes: Cornell Dupree (electric guitar); Jack Wilson (electric and acoustic piano); Richard Tee and Paul Griffin (organ); Chuck Rainey (fender bass); and Donald Bailey (drums).  Arrangements by King Curtis - he's on tenor sax (overdub session).  Joe Gentle on the flute (overdub session).

The track that sets the tone is And I love him (Lennon/McCartney song...classic Beatles).  From her opening intro over guitar and flute that jumps right into the melody.  It floats.  As she says, "I do most of my love songs for lovers becuase I love to love".   Framing the song not unlike Dinah Washington.  I can listen to this all day. 

And I Love Him (Live)