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Queen Latifah covers Billie Holiday

“Latifah knows what she’s doing, phrasing with warmth and a touch of jovial flirtation. At least there’s one rapper who can sing.”—The New York Times NEW AUDIO: Poetry Man (produced by Ron Fair) MP3: http://www.sendspace.com/file/a5daww

Queen Latifah’s new album Trav’lin’ Light will be released by famed jazz label Verve Records in conjunction with Flavor Unit Entertainment on September 25. Produced by three-time Grammy® winner Tommy LiPuma and by Geffen Records chairman Ron Fair, the album is the long-awaited follow-up to Latifah’s critically-acclaimed and Grammy® nominated release The Dana Owens Album (2004).

Trav’lin’ Light is Latifah’s second foray into the realm of jazz, soul, and blues. Once again, she embraces a sultry and saucy mix of fabled female vocalists who’ve inspired her. Exploring the songbooks of PeggyLee, Etta James, Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone, Shirley Horn, Carmen McRae, Roberta Flack, Mary Wells, Phoebe Snow, and more, Latifah adds her warm vocals and playful personality to a hand-picked mix of familiar classics and forgotten jewels.

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1. POETRY MAN
(Words and Music by Phoebe Snow)
QL’s mom’s favorite song. QL sought and received her mom’s blessing before recording it. Top 5 Pop hit, #1 Adult Contemporary hit in 1975 for Phoebe Snow.
Produced by Ron Fair

2. GEORGIA ROSE
(Harry Rosenthal, Jimmy Flynn, Alex Sullivan) Features harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder.
From an obscure Broadway production from 1921 called “Put and Take.” QL discovered this song through a recording of it by Carmen McRae.
Produced by Tommy LiPuma

3. QUIET NIGHTS OF QUIET STARS
(Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gene Lees)
Antonio Carlos Jobim bossa nova classic from late 50s.
Renowned Brazilian acoustic guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves and harmonica player Toots Thielemans play on this track. Produced by Ron Fair

4. DON’T CRY BABY
(Saul Bernie, James P. Johnson, Stella Unger)
1961 hit for Etta James. Performed by Bessie Smith in 1929, Erskine Hawkins in 1943. Many covers: Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin and many more.
Produced by Ron Fair

5. I LOVE BEING HERE WITH YOU
(Peggy Lee, Bill Schluger)
Co-written and performed by Peggy Lee in 1960.
Produced by Tommy LiPuma

6. I’M GONNA LIVE TILL I DIE
(Mann Curtis, Al Hoffman, Walter Kent)
After hearing Sarah Vaughn’s explosive recording, QL now considers this song to be her new anthem.
Produced by Tommy LiPuma

7. TRAV’LIN’ LIGHT
(Jimmy Mundy, Trummy Young, Johnny Mercer) 1940’s Billie Holiday classic. QL inspired by version she heard version by Shirley Horn.
Produced by Tommy LiPuma

8. I WANT A LITTLE SUGAR IN MY BOWL
Tim Brymn, Brymn, J., Small, D., Clarence Williams Old blues number recorded by Bessie Smith and later popularized by Nina Simone.
Produced by Tommy LiPuma

9. I’M NOT IN LOVE
(Graham Gouldman, Eric Stewart)
1975 10cc pop smash. QL’s version inspired by Dee Dee Sharp’s 1976 Gamble & Huff production which became a Quiet Storm classic.
Produced by Ron Fair

10. WHAT LOVE HAS JOINED TOGETHER
(William “Smokey” Robinson, Robert Rogers)
An early 60s Mary Wells gem written by Smokey Robinson. Also recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and the Temptations.
Produced by Ron Fair

11. HOW LONG (BETCHA GOT A CHICK ON THE SIDE)
(Anita Pointer, June Pointer, Patricia Pointer, Ruth Pointer, David Rubinson)
#1 R&B hit in 1975, written and performed by the Pointer Sisters.
Produced by Ron Fair

12. GONE AWAY
(Donny Hathaway, Leroy Hutson, Curtis Mayfield)
Inspired by Roberta Flack’s 1970 cover of the Impressions’s “Gone Away.”
This song was also prominently sampled by T.I. in his 2006 hit “What You Know.” Produced by Ron Fair

13. I KNOW WHERE I’VE BEEN
(Scott Wittman, Marc Shaiman)
From the film soundtrack for Hairspray.
Produced by Marc Shaiman