Tempo, sparseness, and a vocal-sax duet : Blue Velvet (The Branford Marsalis Quartet, featuring Kurt Elling)

This week, we dive into "Blue Velvet" by Kurt Elling and Branford Marsalis, a haunting, ethereal soundscape between voice and tenor saxophone. Trist and Elaine discuss the subtle recording effects, delicate musicianship, and the emotional transformation of this classic ballad. The conversation compares this rendition to iconic versions by Bobby Vinton and Tony Bennett, highlighting how tempo, orchestration, and vocal delivery can completely reshape a song’s meaning and mood.In the Mailbag, we discuss the impact music can have beyond commercial success. A moving account from the Aarhus Vocal Music Festival and personal anecdotes from both Elaine and Trist underscore how even lesser-known albums and performances can inspire, comfort, and change lives.PLUS a big announcement at the end!Listen to the songYouTube - https://youtu.be/gAXW5Xq496g?is=aV82pFMhJLgNGPrWSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/track/4duESN1aJkwMO35NUV8VkR?si=a818b20c175b4674 Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/song/blue-velvet/1102783941 Amazon - https://music.amazon.com/albums/B01E9DSGZ4?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_FxdC1U4ljX50EWNQnU6AmJfV8&trackAsin=B01E9DSVBS Other linksUpward Spiral - Marsalis MusicBlue Velvet, Bobby Vinton versionBlue Velvet, Tony Bennett versionBlue Velvet, Tony Bennett and k.d. lang versionPlaylist of the songs we’ve reviewedYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5bn23baJ4xQ1t0TMqukELY5W95HwuMoT Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7gCOF5M0zYS1fBvXgT5ccI?si=7F3yVdEDRRWa_gAArK3AYg Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/songs-reviewed-on-the-musicians-loupe/pl.u-V9D7maah06JNoAmazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/3b47be4937b7490982f4a872db32ec8dsune?ref=dm_sh_AEFZY8KhvSsz1TGoRmasg6zHZ About usTrist Curless is a Los Angeles-based vocalist, educator, and sound engineer. As a performer, Trist has toured worldwide as a co-founder of the pop-jazz vocal group m-pact and a 10 year member of the Grammy-award winning The Manhattan Transfer. In addition to these two vocal powerhouse groups, he’s also performed with Take 6, Bobby McFerrin, New York Voices, Vox Audio, Naturally 7, and The Swingle Singers. His latest venture, The LHR Project, is a new vocal group collective celebrating legendary jazz vocal group Lambert, Hendricks, and Ross.As an audio engineer, Trist has toured nationally with several vocal groups and bands in a large variety of venues, working for Grammy award winners Pentatonix and Take 6, as well as prominent a cappella vocal groups Straight No Chaser, VoicePlay, and Accent.Elaine Chao, M.Ed is a San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, vocal percussionist, and songwriter whose career spans a cappella, contemporary worship, and classical music. She has leveraged her training in classical and choral music over the course of her contemporary performance, including in orchestras for musical theatre and in sacred spaces. In addition to music, she also is a martial artist and published author. She currently leads a product management team at a major software company dedicated to creative expression. All statements in this podcast are her own and do not reflect the opinions of her employer.