ARCHIE SHEPP - Something to Live For (1997) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This highly anticipated vocal album does not quite make it. Unfortunately, either the saxophonist was having an off night (or nights), or he simply lost his ability to sing gracefully by the mid-'90s. The choice of tunes is perfect: "A Flower Is a Lonesome Thing," "Strange Fruit," "Hello, Young Lovers," and "Georgia on My Mind," among others. So is the band, which includes trumpeter Eddie Henderson, pianist John Hicks, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Iris Muhammad (with Steve McCracken substituting on one track). Shepp speaks and shouts the lyrics more than he sings them, seemingly agonizing over each syllable. His tenor performance is subpar, too. He sounds almost as though he is playing with marbles in his mouth. Hicks explores some nice, if familiar ground, on piano, where he adds pleasant and stimulating lines both in support and as a soloist. Shepp's career as a vocalist appears short-lived, as he again focused on his saxophones after this one was recorded. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1    A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing 6:00
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn
2    My Foolish Heart 5:52
Composed By – Ned Washington, Victor Young
3    Strange Fruit 4:35
Composed By – Lewis Allan
4    You're Blasé 8:41
Composed By – Bruce Sievier, Ord Hamilton
5    Something To Live For 5:31
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington
6    Georgia On My Mind 7:00
Composed By – Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell
7    Hello, Young Lovers 10:35
Composed By – Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers
8    California Blues 8:01
Composed By – Archie Shepp
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Idris Muhammad (pistas: 1 to 7), Steve McCraven (pistas: 8)
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone, Vocals – Archie Shepp
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Eddie Henderson