Patty Waters - An Evening in Houston (2020)

Patty Waters is a living legend and every record with her voice is, in consequence, a preciosity. Unanimously considered the main singer of the free jazz tendency since the release of her historical ESP-Disk albums “Sings” and ‘College Tour” in the Sixties, and widely known (Diamanda Galas and Patti Smith pointed her as their main reference) for her impressive interpretation of the traditional “Black is the Color (of My True Love’s Hair)”, her influence resisted to a 30 years disappearance from the stages and the studios. The return happened in 1996, but only to a couple more albums and a few concerts. “An Evening in Houston” marks Waters re-encounter with pianist Burton Greene in a 2018 special gig, along with the greats Mario Pavone and Barry Altschul. A repertoire of folk songs, jazz standards (including “Strange Fruit”, a song we all know because of Billie Holiday, Patty Waters’ idol) and compositions by Thelonious Monk and Ornette Coleman show us why this mysterious personality was, and still is, one of the most astonishing innovators of the voice expressive capabilities in music, either singing or using it as an instrument. Yes, it’s that important.