Cassandra Wilson – New Moon Daughter (2xLP)

New Moon Daughter, released in 1995, is Cassandra Wilson’s second album for Blue Note and a masterful blend of jazz, blues, folk, and pop reinterpretations. Her deep, smoky voice anchors the record, delivering both warmth and mystery across a diverse set of songs. Wilson reimagines standards, contemporary tracks, and originals alike, from a brooding take on Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit to an atmospheric cover of U2’s Love Is Blindness. The instrumentation is sparse yet richly textured, relying on acoustic guitars, percussion, and subtle horns to frame her vocals, creating an intimate, earthy sound.

The album is as much about mood as it is about melody, with Wilson’s interpretations transforming familiar songs into entirely new emotional experiences. Winning the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance, New Moon Daughter cemented her reputation as one of the most innovative jazz vocalists of her generation. Its combination of daring song choices and genre-blurring arrangements make it a modern classic that resonates far beyond jazz audiences.

Reviews:

“Her latest collection is uncompromising, but also accessible: Wilson’s dusky, sensual voice invites you in.” – Rolling Stone

“Cassandra Wilson has an uncanny ability to inhabit a song, to make even the most familiar tune sound like it’s being sung for the first time.” – AllMusic

“Her cool, earthy voice brings a fresh perspective to jazz standards and pop covers alike, creating a record that feels timeless.” – The Guardian

“New Moon Daughter confirms Wilson as one of the most distinctive vocalists of the decade.” – Los Angeles Times