Wilson's repertoire includes both jazz and blues standards and renditions of pop and rock songs. Her contralto voice has been described as bluesy and sultry, and the style of her music ranges from swing to funk to bossa nova. Many of the songs she covers are by artists who usually record in other genres.
Wilson counts the late Miles Davis as one of her greatest influences. In 1989 she performed as the opening act for Davis at the JVC Jazz Festival in Chicago. In 1999 she produced Traveling Miles as a tribute to Davis. The album developed from a series of jazz concerts that she performed at Lincoln Center in November 1997 in Davis's honor and includes three selections based on Davis's own compositions, in which Wilson adapted the original themes.
A Brief Discography
Point of View (1986, JMT)
Days Aweigh (1987, JMT)
Blue Skies (1988, JMT)
Jumpworld (1989, JMT)
She Who Weeps (1990, JMT)
Live (1991, JMT)
After the Beginning Again (1992, JMT)
Dance to the Drums Again (1992, DIW/Columbia)
Blue Light 'til Dawn (1993, Blue Note)
New Moon Daughter (1995, Blue Note)
Rendezvous (with Jacky Terrasson) (1998, Blue Note)
Traveling Miles (1999, Blue Note)
Belly of the Sun (2002, Blue Note)
Glamoured (2003, Blue Note)
Thunderbird (2006, Blue Note)
Loverly (2008, Blue Note)
Silver Pony (2010, Blue Note)
Another Country (2012, eOne)
Official website: www.cassandrawilson.com
"Run The Voodoo Down"
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And mud in my shoes
Walked all the way from Mississippi
Just to spread the news
Don't care for idle conversation
I'm not your girl about town
But when it comes to make music
And here in this quiet place I own
Worlds are born
The night of my conception
The star were fixed
Conjure woman told my mother
She's gonna run and twist
Don't have to worry 'bout her learning
She's gonna get around
And when it comes to traveling
She'll run the voodoo down
Here in this quiet place we own
We're born
Destiny is my deliverance
I walk this road alone
I take my pleasure in remembering
I'm just a rolling stone
And I don't mind some company
If you want to stay around
But when it comes to my loving
I run the voodoo down
And here in this quiet place I own
Worlds are born
The lyrics to Cassandra Wilson's "Run The Voodoo Down" are rich with references to the African American tradition of voodoo, and the power that it holds. The song begins with the singer announcing that she has "High John" in her pocket — High John the Conqueror is a figure from African American folklore who possesses supernatural powers and helps those who possess his root to overcome obstacles. She also has "mud in [her] shoes", which could symbolize the difficult journey she's been on to get to where she is now.
The singer then goes on to describe her relationship to music and the role it plays in her life. She says she doesn't care for "idle conversation" and is not a "girl about town", but when it comes to making music, she can "run the voodoo down". This suggests that her musical abilities are something that are deeply connected to her cultural heritage and spirituality, and that she is able to tap into a powerful force when she plays music.
Line by Line Meaning
I got High John in my pocket
I have a good luck charm with me
And mud in my shoes
I've walked a long way to be here
Walked all the way from Mississippi
I've traveled a great distance to spread a message
Just to spread the news
I'm here to share important information
Don't care for idle conversation
I'm not interested in small talk
I'm not your girl about town
I'm not here for socializing
But when it comes to make music
My true passion is creating music
I run the voodoo down
I excel at blending different musical styles
And here in this quiet place I own
This is a sacred space for me
Worlds are born
I find inspiration and creativity here
The night of my conception
The night I was conceived was a special and significant moment
The stars were fixed
The alignment of the stars have impacted my destiny
Conjure woman told my mother
My mother received a prophecy about me from a wise woman
She's gonna run and twist
I'm destined for a life full of adventure and excitement
Don't have to worry 'bout her learning
I'm naturally curious and eager to explore
She's gonna get around
I'll travel far and wide
And when it comes to traveling
Exploring the world is one of my greatest passions
She'll run the voodoo down
I'll infuse my music with unique cultural influences and flavors
Destiny is my deliverance
I trust that my destiny will guide me
I walk this road alone
My journey is a solitary one
I take my pleasure in remembering
I find joy in reminiscing
I'm just a rolling stone
I'm a free spirit who doesn't like to be tied down
And I don't mind some company
I welcome the company of others
If you want to stay around
Feel free to stick around
But when it comes to my loving
In matters of the heart, I know what I want
I run the voodoo down
My love is infused with passion and sensuality
And here in this quiet place I own
This is my sacred space, where I feel most at home
Worlds are born
From my creativity, new possibilities emerge
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind