Just Like a Woman (Hymn to Nina)

Personnel: Jessica Lauren (harmonica, keyboards); Mark Lockheart (clarinet, saxophone); Jenny Carr (piano); Johnny Lee (drums, percussion).
Liner Note Author: Barb Jungr.
Recording information: Livingston Studios, London, UK (11/19/2007-11/21/2007).
Photographer: Steve Ullathorne.
With her previous two releases devoted to the songs of Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley, the British cabaret artiste Barb Jungr has just about mastered the art of the modern tribute album. JUST LIKE A WOMAN takes its inspiration from the work of Jungr's forebear, the ultimate eclectic songstress Nina Simone, whose stature within contemporary music has only grown in the years since her death. To be sure, Jungr's natural-sounding folk-singer's voice sounds nothing like Simone's. Nor does does she model her arrangements on the original recordings of these tunes, most of which weren't even Simone's most celebrated. This allows Jungr even greater freedom with her characteristicaly novel arrangements and unexpected choices. So for starters, we are treated to a lively reggae version of "Just Like A Woman" as well as an effectively powerful medley juxtaposing "One Morning In May" and Steppenwolf's "The Pusher." Another musical highlight: a deliberative, hymn-like "Angel Of The Morning."