97. Natalie Weiner Discusses Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley

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Music journalist and sportswriter Natalie Weiner kicks off the 2023 episodes of YMAAA on a jazzy note, as she introduces Al to the 1962 album, Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley. Natalie talks about how she got into jazz when she was in high school, why she selected this album for this episode and what she loves about both Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley. She also delves into what’s been different about music in the 2020s and the projects she will be working on in the coming year.

Natalie mentioned an essay by Nicholas Payton about why jazz “died” in 1959. You can read it here: https://nicholaspayton.com/on-why-jazz-isnt-cool-anymore/

Be sure to follow Natalie on TwItter (@natalieweiner) and Instagram (@natalieweinerwrites)...

...and check out her website: natalieweiner.com!

For the time being, Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.

The show also has an account on Mastodon: @[email protected].

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1:20 Natalie joins the show

1:57 Playing bass was Natalie’s gateway to getting deeper into music

5:24 Natalie’s jazz band teacher was instrumental to expanding her jazz knowledge

9:06 Natalie talks about the first piece of music writing she got paid to do

11:02 Learning to play “So What” was a turning point for Natalie

12:37 Natalie explains why she chose this album for this episode

15:49 Al found listening to the album relaxing

17:16 Al looks to Natalie to help him hear Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley in a different context

21:51 Al really enjoyed Nancy Wilson’s vocals

22:40 Natalie highlights some of the aspects that make the album special

26:51 Natalie talks about what she loves about Cannonball Adderley’s style of playing

28:49 Natalie appreciates the relative simplicity of the sound on this album

30:29 Natalie and Al talk about the album’s dynamics

32:30 Natalie gets into the particulars of Nancy Wilson’s performance

34:35 Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley came out in the aftermath of what many consider to be jazz’s peak

37:31 Nalalie credits the producers with the album’s high-quality sound

39:33 Al asks Natalie about the sequencing on the different versions of the album

40:30 The song arrangements are part of the album’s appeal for Natalie

46:53 Natalie recommends the album as an introduction to other work by Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley

50:45 Natalie’s music listening habits have changed in the 2020s

54:17 Natalie talks about her current and upcoming projects

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