Interlude
Leela James
A Change Is Gonna Come, 2005
I finally have an album’s worth of material from a voice that’s haunted me for a while. I was going to post some snippets but I actually got hooked on “Interlude” (interlude #2 of 4) which is a really a complete song that happens to be 1:40 long.
I can’t say enough about this woman’s voice. It’s country-fried and raspy at all the right times (like 0:52). What I really want to know is what her speaking voice sounds like. It would be weird if it was normal…but it would also be weird if it sounds like her singing voice.
I definitely recommend picking this album up. At first listen it seems to suffer from having a few too many cooks (producers) in the kitchen but even that doesn’t bother me much after a few listens because her voice shines on (almost!) all of the varied tracks. Kanye has two tracks and he actually refrained from using sped up vocals! Or maybe not; the liner notes don’t list production credits for the interludes and this one actually does have a sped up vocal sample, so you have to wonder if it’s him (or someone else trying to be current not realizing they’re way too late).
Vocal sample aside, the production on this track is really well done. Check the layers, as subtle organ riffs come (back) in at :49 followed by synth strings at 1:06 and my favorite, the “oh that’s not a loop?” moment when the guitar sighs two lazy bent high notes over the end of the (would be) chorus at 1:29. This is all in the background of what is most compelling about the song: its naked emotionality.
i’d love to be your wife
i’d love to spend my life with you
cause i love you babe
be glad to bear your child
that would make me so very proud
cause i love you baby, love you baby
ain’t nobody else for me
you’re my only, my only
so please, don’t waste no more time
and make me your wife
i want to be married
can we get married
we should be married
let’s get married
i want to be married
can we get married
we should be married
let’s get married today
Recommended listening hour: 1:00 a.m.
>> songs are available for two weeks [2.3 MB]
