Mandy Barnett Is a Mighty Fine Jazz Singer, Too
I confess that I don't know much about jazz music, but I'll go pretty much anywhere that Mandy Barnett goes, which is why I found myself at a small concert by the Nashville Jazz Orchestra last night. Barnett was the evening's featured singer - and I have to say, she remains one of the most exquisite vocalists in Music City. I just have to shake my head sometimes and wonder why nobody else seems to notice. In this show, she dusted off jazz standards like "It Had to Be You" and "At Last" and put her own sleek spin on "Cry Me a River," a simmering torch song that most people associate with Julie London. (Not the Justin Timberlake song, folks.) That's the jazz that I probably most identify with - the stuff that can keep a drunk, lonely man company after midnight. But I digress ...
Mandy has such a full, round voice that milks every emotion out of a song. To me, it's like the difference between a kitchen faucet and Niagara Falls. Thankfully, she loves those big, sad, beautiful songs as much as I do. I can barely contain myself when she sings "Hurt" (the Juice Newton song, not Johnny Cash) or especially "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me." When she pleads, "Believe me! Believe me!", I do! After a sterling rendition of Cole Porter's "In the Still of the Night," Mandy encored this concert with "Crazy," which she's sung hundreds of times in Always, Patsy Cline at the Ryman Auditorium. After a very long absence, she's reprising the role this spring and I can't wait.
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tnkufan says:
I absolutely love Mandy’s voice. I was hooked when I saw Always the first time. I loved it so much - I took my whole family the next visit. I, like you, have a hard time understanding how someone with so much talent can be so overlooked in Nashville. I guess if you’re not blonde, you don’t have a shot anymore. The sad thing is that Mandy, like you said, evokes so much emotion with her performances. I guess folks just aren’t used to that - if they ever heard it - they’d question some of the music currently played.
RedMaZ says:
Mandy is one of the best vocalists I’ve heard for that style. The main reason for that being what most Pop acts I’ve heard lack. Soul. I for one don’t believe she’s being overlooked by Nashville, if by that you mean today’s Mainstream Pop culture, She’s really not part of that industry/genre scene. She is however recognized and appreciated within her own genre.. …
As far as the two different songs “Hurt”…each go back further than Newton and Cash. I think I first heard The Crane/Jacobs song Hurt by Elvis. I’m sure it’s been covered by many other people too. Newton did a good version of it though. The Reznor tune “Hurt” was first done by Nine Inch Nails. Obviously Cash made it his own swan song..
RRick says:
Mandy Barnett has been one of my favorite female country singers since she appeared on the scene in the mid 1990’s. In fact I consider her self titled debut album one of my Top 10 favorite country albums from the entire decade of the 90’s. That mainstream country radio ignored here singles back in 1996 because she sounded “too country”, “too traditional”, and “too much like Patsy Cline” was criminal. Mandy’s vocal prowess as a teenager can still be heard on the “Always Patsy Cline” original cast album. Its great to hear she’s going to be back in that role again.
Darren says:
I love Mandy’s voice, i wonder at times why she didnt have more success in the 90s, she has a very powerful voice without overdoing it like some do. She is the current version of Patsy Cline you can hear it in her her voice and you can even see it when you see her. She is really an underrated Gem as far as singers go
Janel says:
Mandy’s voice has always been great! Remarkable talent!! I agree with Darren, she is a diamond that will come shining thru!
Jimmy W. says:
I was at this show. I traveled over 200 miles and it was well worth the drive. She was a great! The arrangements were wonderful and refreshing. Most of the stuff was new material for me from her, as I have followed her career for 15 yrs. Looking forward to her return in the APC show at the Ryman and hopefully another with the Nash. Jazz Orch.
Always….Jimmy, Lex Ky
Ken K. says:
I did not see Mandy’s show at Vanderbuilt, BUT have been a fan of hers EVER since I first saw her in APC..over fifteen years ago..What a talent!! She sings with such emotion and feeling..from the heart!!My only wish is that she will soon release her CD of Torch Songs..so those of us who enjoy her music..can take something new home with us to enjoy at our liesure..Bravo Mandy..You are a “one and only” talent ..unique!!
Ken Kostyra
Mark McCuen says:
Thanks for the update on Mandy. She is clearly one of the best singers on the planet! Jazz, Country or singing the phone book, she’s great
Taunya says:
Unfortunately I haven’t caught one of Mandy’s shows in quite a while but I do keep up with what is going on with her music. To say she is amazing just doesn’t quiet do justice!!! To me there is no word to describe her voice and the emotion she brings to a song! She is one of my favorite female singers and I hope she continues to do the music she likes and not what the industry wants to hear. As we can all hear these days the industry doesn’t have too good taste when it comes to knowing REAL talent!! Keep up the wonderful music Mandy!!! You are truly one of the BEST!!
Marty P says:
I am no fan of country music, but surfing on T.V. some years back, I came across Mandy Barnett on “Sessions on 54th St.” which is in N.Y.C. and was stunned. Her voice, her straight-forward delivery, the lack of trendy B.S. (even her side men were great…a bunch of old timers in sport jackets and ties that looked like they bought them from the rack in the dry cleaners, just so they could be properly dressed for the Big City)was so endearing. Of course, I got her very few CDs and love them, too. I saw this blog because, as I was saying to my wife in the car yesterday as we were listening to one of her now worn CDs “why do I not hear about her when so much mediocrity is being peddled around and about?” So, I looked her up here.
And now she is also doing jazz? Well,how about that. The woman can sing; voice, emotion, everything. I hope she takes a trip to S.F. so I can pay to see her.