compared to what

Last winter, something, and I don’t remember what (maybe Winehouse at the Grammys?) got me digging around to see what Nikka Costa was up to. I spent a few pleasant evenings sampling and listening to whatever good videos I ran across, wondering if she had anything coming out or would be touring around. I’m not an old fan. My first exposure to her wasn’t this Gap ad, because she’s been in my environment in many ways, but that ad was the first time she reached my awareness as an individual artist:

Old School

and so I listened a bit when that came out, read a lot about her very interesting background, and then pretty much forgot about her. And after last winter’s video marathon faded, I forgot again.

But the other night, I was happened across her rocking out on Leno, and knew that probably meant a new album and tour, and it did. I’m not catching the tour this time through, but I am ready to grab the album, Pebble to a Pearl, published by Stax and set to drop next week. Can’t find a vid of the Leno gig, but here’s a mini-marathon while we wait.

“Pebble to a Pearl” promotional video

“Stuck to You” from Pebble to a Pearls

She’s been at this game a long time.

“On My Own” live in Brazil, 1981

… but her sound got much more interesting, naturally:

“Get Off of My Sunshine” from Butterfly Rocket (1997)

But I want to see her live. The bizarre Wonder Woman lingere in this next one is a bit of a puzzle, but I forget it after one good downbeat:

“When My Man Cries”

I’m a big fan of the retro sounds of Amy Winehouse and Duffy, but for real soul, neither stands up to Nikka.

categories: music
tags: blues, funk, Nikka Costa, rock, soul