Dianne came from a very musical family. Her father, who died when she was two years old, was also a singer. Her mother, Vada Swanson, played trumpet. A cousin, George Duke is a well known piano and keyboard player and producer.
Dianne and her sister Sharon were raised by their grandmother in Denver, Colorado. As a child Dianne took piano lessons and sang at every opportunity. When she was 11 years old her interest in music was enhanced by an inspiring teacher who thought that music was the best way to bring students together. Dianne discovered a love of music and that she wanted to be a singer.
Her uncle, Charles Burell, a bass player with the Denver Symphony Orchestra, introduced her to the music of jazz singers, from Ella Fitzgerald to Billie Holiday. She was especially impressed by Sarah Vaughan.
1974
At the age of sixteen she was singing at the George Washington Highschool in Denver, in a highschool bigband. That same year the band played at a music festival (Convention of the National Association of Jazz Educators). Her Band won first place and it was there she met the trumpeter Clark Terry, who after discovering her became her mentor.
1975
A year later she began studying music at the University of Denver, before she moving in 1976 to Los Angeles. In L.A. her interest in Latin-American music grew, and she began experimenting with different kinds of vocal music and finally decided to pursue a career as a singer. She met Eduardo del Barrio, and she toured with his group "Caldera" and sang in Billy Child's jazz band "Night Flights". Later she tour with Sergio Mendes.
From 1983 until 1986 she toured with Harry Belafonte as a lead singer. This period saw her first experiences with world music. In 1987 she became the first vocalist to sign with Blue Note records. She moved back to Denver from Los Angeles in 1992. She sang at the closing ceremony of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.
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Grammy Awards
She has currently won 3 Grammy Awards for "Best Jazz Vocal Performance" for her albums
2001 In the Moment
2002 The Calling
2003 A Little Moonlight
2006 Good Night, And Good Luck (Soundtrack)
She is the only singer to have won this Grammy in three consecutive years.
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Discography
1977 - Welcome to My Love
1987 - Better Days
1988 - I Remember
1990 - Never Too Far
1991 - Dianne Reeves (same as Better Days)
1993 - Art & Survival
1994 - Quiet After the Storm
1996 - The Grand Encounter
1996 - Palo Alto Sessions
1997 - That Day
1997 - New Morning (live)
1999 - Bridges... produced by George Duke.
2000 - In The Moment (live)
2001 - The Calling: Celebrating Sarah Vaughan
2002 - Best of Dianne Reeves
2003 - A Little Moonlight
2004 - Christmas Time is Here
2005 - Good Night, And Good Luck (Soundtrack)
Old Country
Dianne Reeves Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I waited patiently
While the joys you tasted
Not a word from me
Now that age is creeping
Cross your pale gray brow
Ain't no use in weeping
It's too late now
Hey you old man sitting
By the lonesome road
It's about time you're quitting
Life's old tiresome mode
You're so sad and lonely
Got no family
Just an old man from some old country
You ain't sired no chillin'
Ain't none by your side
You left all your women
Who ain't you satisfied
Don't just sit there clinging to a memory
Of a love left in some old country
No nobody needs you old man
'cause nobody calls your name
And nobody even whispers
Oh what a doggone shame
So the cold grim reaper
Has no sympathy
You won't see your homeland
'cept through me
You won't see your homeland
'cept through me
Stop crying
Age is creeping
You won't see your homeland
'cept through me
The song "Old Country" by Dianne Reeves tells the story of an old man sitting by the lonesome road. It seems like he has spent his whole life chasing after joy and pleasure, leaving his family and loved ones behind. The lyrics describe how the singer has been patiently waiting for him to realize the errors of his ways, but now it's too late. The old man is so sad and lonely, with no one to call his own. He has sired no children, and there is no one by his side. The cold grim reaper has no sympathy for him, and he won't even see his homeland except through the singer.
The song is a poignant reflection on aging and the choices we make in life. The old man is a symbol of all those who have lived a life of regret and missed opportunities. The singer's voice is tender and empathetic, but there is also a hint of firmness in her tone. She knows that there is nothing she can do to change the old man's fate, but she still wants to offer him some comfort and solace.
Overall, "Old Country" is a beautiful and haunting song that captures the essence of human frailty and the passage of time. It's a reminder that we should all strive to live a life that is fulfilling and meaningful, and that we should cherish the people we love while we still can.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the years you wasted
I patiently waited for you while you spent your time unwisely
While the joys you tasted
You experienced happiness without my presence or input
Not a word from me
I didn't express my disappointment or frustration
Now that age is creeping
As you age, your looks and abilities will decline
Cross your pale gray brow
You will become wrinkled and your hair will turn gray
Ain't no use in weeping
It's pointless to cry now
It's too late now
The opportunity to make things right has passed
Hey you old man sitting
Addressing someone who is elderly and dejected
By the lonesome road
On a lonely or deserted street
It's about time you're quitting
It's time for you to give up on life
Life's old tiresome mode
Living has become mundane and repetitive
You're so sad and lonely
You are overcome with sadness and desperate for companionship
Got no family
You have no living relatives or significant connections
Just an old man from some old country
You are an elderly man originally from a different place
You ain't sired no chillin'
You have not fathered any children
Ain't none by your side
There is no one to support or comfort you
You left all your women
You've abandoned or neglected all the women you've been with
Who ain't you satisfied
You have never been content with your partners
Don't just sit there clinging to a memory
Stop reminiscing about a past love
Of a love left in some old country
A former romantic interest that you once had in a different place
No nobody needs you old man
No one requires your existence or presence
'cause nobody calls your name
You are not needed or wanted by anyone
And nobody even whispers
No one even discusses you in your absence
Oh what a doggone shame
How unfortunate
So the cold grim reaper
The messenger of death
Has no sympathy
They don't care about your plight
You won't see your homeland
You won't be able to return to your place of origin
'cept through me
Unless I show it to you
Stop crying
Cease your weeping
Age is creeping
As you grow old
You won't see your homeland
You won't be able to go home
'cept through me
Unless I take you there
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEBBIE TRAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind