I meant to revisit the discussion on listening to music to help your improvising sooner (maybe even monthly … but the best laid plans and all). To sum up: to sing well, you must listen well. Or listen lots … or listen to good music … or listen to lots of good music … (oh, you get the idea.)

Anyway … here’s more music I dig.

…

Rachelle Ferrell – funky, jazzy, soulful – I started listening to her album “Individuality (Can I Be Me?)” last October after owning it for several years. (WHAT took me so long?)

The Fairfield Four – I’m ga-ga for this gospel group. I’ve never heard anybody sing lower than their bass Isaac Freeman.

Joni Mitchell – a brilliant, fascinating, quirky songwriter. Everyone covers her stuff.

Aretha Franklin – I like the stuff she did in her early years at Columbia (cuz it’s jazzy).

Sweet Honey in the Rock - love ‘em, love ‘em, LOVE them! This seven-woman, African American ensemble writes great material – singable, with heart and conscious. My a cappella group can’t stop singing their stuff. (I got to meet Ysaye Barnwell at a workshop she held a few years ago — I was painfully uncool. She was brilliant and majestic.)

…

What about you? To whom are you listening? Someone newly discovered? An old favorite? I’d love to know (and listen!). Share your list in the comments section.