Rolling Stone's Geoffrey Himes reviewed the album positively. He noted its similarity to Wilson's previous album, Blue Light 'Til Dawn, but said that New Moon Daughter has more feeling and a darker tone. He said that Wilson makes Billie Holiday's Strange Fruit her own . He noted the album's overall slow tempo as a weakness, wishing for a little more rhythmic diversity.[2] Scott Yanow of Allmusic described Wilson's voice on the album as quite bored and emotionally detached but noted that she was stretching herself .[3]
Singer Cassandra Wilson, who has had a rather diverse career that has ranged from the free funk of M-Base to standards à la Betty Carter, has in recent times adopted a folk-oriented style a little reminiscent of Nina Simone. On New Moon Daughter her repertoire ranges from U2 to Son House, from Hoagy Carmichael to Hank Williams ( I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry ); it is certainly the only album ever that contains both the Monkees' Last Train to Clarksville and Strange Fruit. This CD is a surprise best-seller, for Wilson's voice actually sounds quite bored and emotionally detached. She deserves great credit for stretching herself, but one has to dig deep to find any warmth in her overly cool approach.
Singer Cassandra Wilson, who has had a rather diverse career that has ranged from the free funk of M-Base to standards à la Betty Carter, has in recent times adopted a folk-oriented style a little reminiscent of Nina Simone. On New Moon Daughter her repertoire ranges from U2 to Son House, from Hoagy Carmichael to Hank Williams ( I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry ); it is certainly the only album ever that contains both the Monkees' Last Train to Clarksville and Strange Fruit. This CD is a surprise best-seller, for Wilson's voice actually sounds quite bored and emotionally detached. She deserves great credit for stretching herself, but one has to dig deep to find any warmth in her overly cool approach. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
Cassandra's Most Consistant And Fully Realized Recordings New Moon Daughter is really jazz vocalist Cassandra Wilson's masterpiece. She really made a name for herself with this recording. Haunting, dark, brooding, simplistic yet complex, chilling are all words that can be used to describe this album. Her band is simply outstanding. Wilson really wraps her voice around these arrangements. If you don't own any jazz vocal albums, then I would get this one first. Highly recommended for fans of Diana Krall and Shirley Horn.Submitted by John R. (Jazzville, USA)Was This Review Helpful? Yes No
