Secrets Are the Best Stories

Secrets Are the Best Stories is a collaboration that delivers deep messages with bracing new music and makes a profound step toward reframing the possibilities of vocal jazz. — AllMusic, April 2020, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 17th Apr 2020
Catalogue No: EDNLP1151
Label: Edition Records

Grammy Awards

63rd Awards (2021)

Best Jazz Vocal Performance
AllMusic

Editor's Choice

April 2020

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The Fanfold Hawk (For Franzwright)

A Certain Continuum

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Gratitude (For Robert Bly)

Stage I

Beloved (For Toni Morrison)

Stages II,III

Song Of The Rio Grande (For Oscarand Valeria Martinez-Ramirez)

Rabo De Nube

Esperanto

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Awards, Grammy Winners 2021

15th March 2021

Matt introduces the winning jazz albums from this year's ceremony, which took place last night in Los Angeles.

Secrets Are The Best Stories is the new album from acclaimed vocalist and Grammy-winning artist Kurt Elling featuring renowned pianist Danilo Perez. Secrets Are The Best Stories is set to be a career-defining album for Kurt, confirming his trajectory on a new and evolving path of artistic excellence, and further exploring the passion and the messages, political, personal, that inspire him. Here, Elling adds evocative new lyrics to compositions by greats like Perez's iconic collaborator Wayne Shorter, late fusion bass genius Jaco Pastorius, and visionary composer/arranger Vince Mendoza, and to pieces from Perez's own catalogue. Along with his own compelling narratives, Elling adapts the works of contemporary poets Franz Wright and Robert Bly, the 19th century abolitionist poet Frances E.W. Harper and Nobel-winning author Toni Morrison. Ever since Kurt Elling burst on to the global scene 25 years ago, he has been developing the sound and command of his vocal instrument into one of the most recognisable in the music. A combination of - richness in intent, of soulfulness and of signature expression - define him as an artist. Secrets Are The Best Stories- the new recording from the world's foremost jazz singer - translates an artistic vision of history, mystery, and storytelling into a musical message both singular and deep.

Reviews

April 2020

Secrets Are the Best Stories is a collaboration that delivers deep messages with bracing new music and makes a profound step toward reframing the possibilities of vocal jazz.

May 2020

For its lyrical depth, emotional sincerity, and stellar performances, Secrets Are the Best Stories must be considered one of the most compelling entries in Kurt Elling’s acclaimed discography.

May 2020

Elling sings lines that seem impossible. Dystopian dissonance and nightmarish musical images feed dense metaphors wrapped in poetic camouflage. The passion is earnest and pitch perfect. Now, if only I understood exactly what he was singing about.

Secrets Are the Best Stories

Vinyl Record

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Awards, Grammy Winners 2021

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