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
In the song "Run The VooDoo Down," Cassandra Wilson sings about her power and expertise in the world of music and voodoo. The song begins with her mentioning "High John" and "mud in my shoes," which are both traditional voodoo elements symbolizing protection and grounding. She then states that she's traveled all the way from Mississippi to share her message, implying that her knowledge and power are not localized but universal. Wilson asserts that she doesn't care about trivial talk; she's not a "girl about town," but when it comes to making music, she's the best at "running the voodoo down."
Wilson then transitions into a more introspective tone as she reflects on the night of her conception and how her destiny was foretold by a conjure woman. She doesn't have to worry about learning or traveling, as those are innate abilities of hers. She's confident that she can "run the voodoo down" whenever necessary. The song's second verse continues to highlight Wilson's confidence in herself and her abilities. She notes that "destiny is my deliverance" and stresses that she's content being a "rolling stone." However, if anyone wants to join her on her journey, they're welcome. But rest assured, she still "runs the voodoo down" when it comes to her loving.
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 have traveled a long way by foot from a rural area
Walked all the way from Mississippi
I have journeyed a great distance to arrive here
Just to spread the news
I have a message to share with the people here
Don't care for idle conversation
I am not interested in meaningless chatter
I'm not your girl about town
I am not the type to socialize with others in the city
But when it comes to make music
I am highly skilled when it comes to creating music
I run the voodoo down
I am able to harness the power of voodoo in my music
And here in this quiet place I own
I have found a peaceful spot that is important to me
Worlds are born
This place is full of creative energy and potential
The night of my conception
My birth was foretold by a powerful ritual
The star were fixed
The signs were clear that I would be unique and special
Conjure woman told my mother
A wise woman predicted my destiny to my mother
She's gonna run and twist
I will have a unique fate full of twists and turns
Don't have to worry 'bout her learning
My mother did not have to worry about me getting an education
She's gonna get around
I will be able to travel and explore the world
And when it comes to traveling
I am highly skilled at journeying
She'll run the voodoo down
I am capable of using voodoo to aid me in my travels
Destiny is my deliverance
I believe that my fate will guide me to fulfillment
I walk this road alone
I am comfortable traveling life's journey by myself
I take my pleasure in remembering
I enjoy reminiscing about the past
I'm just a rolling stone
I am a traveler, constantly moving and searching
And I don't mind some company
Although I am independent, I do not mind companionship
If you want to stay around
If you are willing to join me on my journey
But when it comes to my loving
When it comes to intimacy and relationships
I run the voodoo down
I am able to infuse my romantic encounters with spiritual energy
And here in this quiet place I own
This location is special to me, and I find peace here
Worlds are born
This place has creative energy and infinite potential
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Miles Davis, Cassandra Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind