Marlango: Nu-Jazz Adventure
Europe has its style – including a tradition of smoky-voiced nu-jazz artists like Marlango. Here's my 12-Step program to style.
Marlango emerged at the end of 1998 in Madrid with a progressive sound. But the band has something familiar that calls to mind black & white art films and stylish chanteuses. I can’t help but compare Leonor Watling’s vocals on “Vete” to the classic “Falling In Love Again” by the legendary Marlene Dietrich.
The band's new CD is "Automatic Imperfection" and it has a range of great sounds, ranging from a Tom Waits inspired "Shake the Moon" to the more Pop "Automatic Imperfection."
Marlango is an amazing journey. Not only within the band's discography, but through time as well. Here is my 12-Step program from Marlango to Marlene…
1. Vete by Marlango
2. White Flag by Dido
3. Black Velvet by Alannah Myles
(Okay. She's Canadian, but they speak French there, right?)
4. It's Only Love That Gets You Through by Sade
5. Whiter Shade Of Pale, A by Annie Lenox
6. I Wonder (Departure) by Abba
7. Homem Na Meio Di Homem by Cesaria Evora
8. Wild Is The Wind by Nina Simone
9. L'Aigle Noir by Barbara
10. Il Venait D'Avoir 18 Ans by Dalida
11. Non Je Ne Regrette Rien by Edith Piaf
12. Lili Marlene by Marlene Dietrich
There is a cinematic influence in all these tracks. (Has anyone see the great Spanish movie “No News from God” in which Heaven is depicted as a permanent 1930’s Paris, filmed in Black & White – I recommend it!). There’s also the definite spiritual presence of their major influence, Tom Waits.
BTW: Hard core Tom Waits fans may recognize the group’s name. Waits named Suzie Marlango during in a concert in Sidney.
