Afterglow Jazz and American Popular Song

Can’t Keep From Singing: Rene Marie

This week on Afterglow we listen to jazz vocalist Rene Marie, who was influenced by classic singers such as Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Betty Carter.

Play Episode (Real Audio)
Rene Marie Album Cover

Photo: Album Cover

Rene Marie's album, How Can I Keep From Singing? Marie has developed her own voice and approach, and her performances—particularly in concert—have a compelling electricity about them.

This week on Afterglow it’s “Rene Marie Just Has to Sing.” Jazz vocalist Rene Marie got a late start to her career—by the time she began gigging and recording, her two sons were already in college.

Influenced by classic singers such as Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Betty Carter, Marie has developed her own voice and approach, and her performances—particularly in concert—have a compelling electricity about them.

We’ll hear music from her four MaxJazz releases, including How Can I Keep From Singing? and Live at Jazz Standard .

Also on the Afterglow agenda this time around: Frank Sinatra, Dinah Washington, Yusef Lateef, and a set of Hank Williams songs done by performers ranging from Cassandra Wilson and James Brown to Joe Pass and Madeleine Peyroux.

Music Heard On This Episode

When Your Lover Has Gone
Louis Armstrong — I've Got the World on a String (Verve, 1957)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
When Your Lover Has Gone
Louis Armstrong — I've Got the World on a String (Verve, 1957)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
Romance in the Dark
Dinah Washington — Complete Roulette Sessions (Mosaic, 1962)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
In the Still of the Night
Frank Sinatra — Live in Paris (Reprise, 1962)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
I'll Always Be in Love With You
Yusef Lateef — Psychicemotus (Impulse, 1965)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
Your Cheatin' Heart
James Brown — Soul on Top (Verve, 1969)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Cassandra Wilson — New Moon Daughter (Blue Note, 1995)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
Cold, Cold Heart
Joe Pass — Complete Pacific Jazz Quartet Sessions (Mosaic, 1964)
album cover
Weary Blues
Madeleine Peyroux — Careless Love (Rounder, 2004)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
Them There Eyes
Rene Marie — Vertigo (MaxJazz, 2001)
album cover
The Very Thought of You
Rene Marie — How Can I Keep From Singing? (MaxJazz, 2000)
album cover
God Bless the Child
Rene Marie — How Can I Keep From Singing? (MaxJazz, 2000)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
Alone Together
Benny Carter — New Jazz Sounds: the Urbane Sessions (Verve, 1952)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
I Wish I Knew
Bill Evans — Explorations (Riverside, 1961)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
There Will Never Be Another You
Count Basie/Joe Williams — Complete Clef/Verve Fifties Studio Recordings (Mosaic, 1956)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
Soft Winds
Stuff Smith — Complete Verve Sessions (Mosaic, 1957)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
Try to Understand
Bill Kirchner/Jackie Cain — Everything I Love (Evening Star, 2004)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
Deed I Do
Rene Marie — Live at Jazz Standard (MaxJazz, 2003)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
I Only Have Eyes for You
Rene Marie — Vertigo (MaxJazz, 2001)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
Wishes
Rene Marie — Serene Renegade (MaxJazz, 2004)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
D.B. Blues
Lester Young — In Washington D.C. 1956 V. 1 (Pablo, 1956)
album cover
Sunday
Kay Starr — Jazz Singer/I Cry By Night (Exemplar, 1960)
Buy from Amazon »
album cover
David Brent Johnson

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, David Brent Johnson moved to Bloomington in 1991. He is an alumnus of Indiana University, and began working with WFIU in 2002. Currently, David serves as jazz producer and systems coordinator at the station. His interests include literature, history, music, writing, and movies.

View all posts by this author »

About Afterglow

About The Host

Search Afterglow

This Week On Night Lights

Why Jazz Happened, With Marc Myers

Marc Myers jazz book

JazzWax blogger and Wall Street Journal music writer Marc Myers discusses his book about how cultural, economic, and social forces shaped the sound of jazz.

Read more »

Night Lights is WFIU's weekly program of classic jazz hosted by David Brent Johnson.

More from Night Lights »