"Roots: My Life, My Song" is a captivating live concert album by the renowned soprano Jessye Norman, released on September 24, 2009, under Sony Music/DEAG Music. This double-CD set spans a diverse range of genres, including opera, classical, gospel, African, and jazz, showcasing Norman's extraordinary vocal prowess and versatility.
The album features 24 tracks, with a total runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes, offering a rich tapestry of musical styles and influences. From spirituals like "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" and "Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child" to classic jazz standards such as "Mack The Knife" and "It Don't Mean A Thing," Norman's interpretations are both powerful and nuanced. The set also includes operatic arias, French chansons, and even a rendition of the popular "My Baby Just Cares For Me," originally made famous by Nina Simone.
Recorded in 2009, this album captures the essence of Jessye Norman's artistry, blending her deep roots in classical training with her ability to connect with a wide array of musical traditions. The live setting adds an extra layer of intimacy and energy, making it a compelling listen for both longtime fans and newcomers to her work. Whether you're an opera enthusiast or simply appreciate exceptional vocal performances, "Roots: My Life, My Song" is a testament to Jessye Norman's enduring legacy in the world of music.
(P) 2009 DEAG Music GmbH / Distributed By Sony Music Entertainment Germany GmbH
Tracks
African Drum InvocationTraditional, Jessye Norman, Steve Johns
His Eye Is On The SparrowCharles H. Gabriel, Jessye Norman
I Want Two WingsTraditional, Jessye Norman, Martin Williams
Lord, I Couldn't Hear Nobody PrayTraditional, Jessye Norman, Mike Lovatt, Martin Williams, Mark Markham
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless ChildTraditional, Jessye Norman, Ira Coleman
HeavenDuke Ellington, Jessye Norman, Mark Markham, Steve Johns
Warum Roots?Jessye Norman
SomewhereLeonard Bernstein, Jessye Norman, Mike Lovatt, Martin Williams, Ira Coleman, Mark Markham, Steve Johns
My Baby Just Cares for MeWalter Donaldson, Gus Kahn, Jessye Norman, Mike Lovatt, Martin Williams, Ira Coleman, Mark Markham, Steve Johns
The A ListJessye Norman
Stormy WeatherHarold Arlen, Jessye Norman, Martin Williams, Ira Coleman, Mark Markham, Steve Johns
Mack The KnifeKurt Weill, Jessye Norman, Martin Williams, Ira Coleman, Mark Markham, Steve Johns
Another Man Done GoneTraditional, Jessye Norman
Pretty HorsesTraditional, Jessye Norman, Martin Williams, Mark Markham
God's Gonna Cut You DownTraditional, Jessye Norman, Mike Lovatt, Martin Williams, Ira Coleman, Mark Markham, Steve Johns
Les Chemins De L'AmourFrancis Poulenc, Jessye Norman, Mike Lovatt, Martin Williams, Ira Coleman, Steve Johns, Mark Markham
The French ConnectionDonald J Ellis, Jessye Norman
J'ai Deux AmoursVincent Scotto, Jessye Norman, Mike Lovatt, Martin Williams, Ira Coleman, Mark Markham, Steve Johns
April In ParisVernon Duke, Jessye Norman, Mark Markham
HabaneraGeorges Bizet, Jessye Norman, Ira Coleman, Mark Markham, Steve Johns
Take The 'A' TrainBilly Strayhorn, Jessye Norman, Mike Lovatt, Martin Williams, Ira Coleman, Mark Markham, Steve Johns
Blue MonkThelonious Monk, Jessye Norman, Mike Lovatt, Martin Williams, Ira Coleman, Mark Markham, Steve Johns
SolitudeDuke Ellington, Irving Mills, Eddie DeLange, Jessye Norman, Mark Markham
It Don't Mean A ThingDuke Ellington, Jessye Norman, Mike Lovatt, Martin Williams, Mark Markham, Steve Johns, Ira Coleman
Don't Get Around Much AnymoreDuke Ellington, Jessye Norman, Mike Lovatt, Martin Williams, Ira Coleman, Mark Markham, Steve Johns
When The Saints Go Marching InTraditional, Jessye Norman, Mike Lovatt, Martin Williams, Ira Coleman, Mark Markham, Steve Johns