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
Tupelo Honey/Angel
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put it in a big brown bag for me
Sail right round the seven oceans
Drop it straight into the deep blue sea
He's as sweet as Tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Now you can't stop us on the road to freedom
You can't keep us 'cause our eyes can see
Men with insight, men in granite
Knights in armor bent on chivalry
He's as sweet as Tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee
I heard a tale of old Manhattan
I've never been there, but I want, want to go
Standing waiting on my number
And my number, it's gonna show
He's as sweet as Tupelo, Tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet, he's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee
He's as sweet, he's as sweet as Tupelo honey
He's an angel of the first degree
He's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee
He's as sweet, he's as sweet
as Tupelo honey
The song Tupelo Honey/Angel by Cassandra Wilson is a cover of the Van Morrison classic "Tupelo Honey", a poetic and romantic ballad with a bluesy and soulful touch. The lyrics evoke strong images of sweetness, connection, and freedom, and convey a sense of deep appreciation and admiration for a special someone. The repeated phrase "He's as sweet as Tupelo honey" suggests that love and sweetness are intimately connected and that the subject of the song embodies the essence of both. The metaphor of the angel further emphasizes the otherworldly and divine qualities of this person, which are worthy of admiration and respect.
The song also makes references to historical and cultural icons and symbols, such as the tea trade of China, the seven oceans, the road to freedom, men with insight and knights in armor, and old Manhattan. These references create a sense of timelessness and universality, as well as a connection to the past and to larger themes of human history and aspiration. The song thus becomes more than a love song, but a celebration of life and its many wonders and mysteries.
Line by Line Meaning
You can take all the tea in China
Anything can be given to me if it is given out of sincere love and not materialism
He's as sweet as Tupelo honey
The person being described is incredibly sweet and has a good heart
Now you can't stop us on the road to freedom
No obstacle or barrier can stand in the way of progression and liberation
Men with insight, men in granite
People with wisdom and resilience are paving the way for progress
I heard a tale of old Manhattan
There are stories of greatness from places we have yet to explore
Standing waiting on my number
Awaiting an opportunity to prove oneself
He's as sweet, he's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Reemphasizing how sweet and kind the person being described is
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind