In honor of distinctive vocalist Roberta Flack, who passed away yesterday, I recommend these six tracks:
- Compared To What (Most jazz fans have heard the Les McCann/Eddie Harris rendition. Vocally and instrumentally, Flack's version gives off a strong Aretha Franklin vibe. It should be played more often, perhaps on WSIE.)
- The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (I like Pete Seeger's and Roberta Flack's versions of this for the same reason; both renditions, in their own ways, convey the emotional intensity of a moment in which a person's life changed for the better.)
- Killing Me Softly With His Song (Flack's voice is naturally compelling and sincere; those qualities come across readily on "Where Is The Love?," "The Closer I Get To You," and "Killing Me Softly...")
- Lovin' You (Is Such An Easy Thang To Do) (Accessible lyrics, fine vocals, strong bass, and a sustained beat...How was this not a pop hit in 1981?)
- Until It's Time For You To Go (This moving, emotive version of a Buffy Sainte-Marie song should be better known. It's unfortunate that Flack's album, "Chapter Two," is generally overlooked these days.)
- Where Is The Love? (with Donny Hathaway) (Is there another duet in which the breezy vocals are this appealingly at odds with such ominous lyrics? In my view, such an effective contrast and lyrics that should resonate in any era make this Flack's best hit.)
