38 Comments
Sep 3, 2022·edited Sep 3, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

She is still my favorite. Ever since “You don’t know how glad I am” first thrilled me as a 7 y/o. It was my go to song in the Greene’s Diner jukebox. Rediscovered her in the late 80s and by the 90s i was hard core. I own more Nancy Wilson CDs, LPs, and digital media including DVD of her at Carnegie Hall. I got to see her twice at the beginning of this decade and was mesmerized, was an avid fan of her NPR radio show. And I grieved her death as if she was family. Her music guarantees to bring me to the happiest place. I especially enjoy listening to her vinyl recordings, you can hear her breath. Thank you for this beautiful post. Your tribute itself is a masterpiece and I hope inspires folks to give her a good listen.

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author

Thanks so much for all the kind words - deeply grateful.

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I shared Robert's post on Facebook and hope my friends will enjoy it and discover or rediscover Nancy Wilson.

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author

Thanks for sharing!

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Sep 3, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

This is a beautiful piece of writing about an incredibly beautiful singer. What a blessing she was, and what a blessing you are Mr. Gilbert for writing it.

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author

Very kind of you to say - thanks so much!

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Sep 16, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

Robert- thank you for writing about the wonderful Nancy Wilson. Living just 45 miles from her hometown, I know a few of her fellow natives- and they all tell of her, what a beautiful person. My father had seen her sing in Chillicothe when she was just beginning her career. He told me that she was amazing even at such a young age. Just a few days ago, Ramsey Lewis passed. And that reminded me of his and Nancy’s albums. Two of the greats.

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author

Thanks for reading and for sharing some remembrances of Nancy Wilson.

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Sep 5, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

Robert,

This is such an amazing piece! My parents both loved Nancy Wilson. My dad passed in 2009, and my mom last Christmas. My brother and I have boxes of record albums and there are several of hers in the collection. My dad was such a lover of jazz! I was the only kid on the block who knew who Nancy Wilson, Oscar Peterson, and others like them were! I think I thought everybody's dad listened to jazz for a while! Thank you for bringing back lots of childhood memories of hearing the music that was playing in my house growing up!

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author

You're so welcome - thank you for reading!

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Sep 3, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

I heard her first with Cannonball Adderley’s group. Sleeping Bee reveals that distinctive vocal styling that instantly made me a fan.

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author

The whole album with Cannonball's band is a classic. There's a real simpatico there.

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Sep 3, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

Chills

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Sep 3, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

Wonderful. Thanks !

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author

You're welcome - thanks for reading it!

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Sep 3, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

I just forwarded it to a friend , Sylvia Bennett , a ‘songstress’ . Sharing music is a joy .

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author

Isn't it - thanks for sharing. Grateful!

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Robert, I found you through my first issue of Substack Reads and here you are, with a definitive vignette showing your readers what made the inimitable, great Nancy Wilson inimitable and great. She always was accompanied by outstanding orchestras, too, wasn't she? Thanks for it and for the links. It's been a most pleasing way to start the long weekend.

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author

You're so welcome. Wilson's music was always presented impeccably and with supreme taste. Hope you have a wonderful long weekend!

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Oct 2, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

Nancy William’s interpretation of “Guess Who I saw Today” was simply devine. Thank you for sharing.

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author

Thank you for reading!

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I’ve always loved Nancy Wilson since a college friend introduced me to her in the late 80s. The album was the melancholic “keep you satisfied” which, despite being primarily a jazz fan, I still love to this day. I was fortunate enough to see her perform in the intimate setting of Blues Alley in Washington DC probably in the late 90s.  I look forward to discussing some of her oeuvre through your excellent article...

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Sep 9, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

What an incredible story! So glad I discovered your work, substack really is a goldmine of creative music journalism. This one really move me as well: https://soundsdeep.substack.com/p/kendrick-and-the-glove

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author

Thanks Emily and thanks as well for subscribing.

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Sep 7, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

Mr Gilbert,

My warmest thanks to you for writing this article. Despite my love for the Great American Songbook, I'd never heard Nancy Wilson until I read your piece. (I blame the Australian public education system.) I've been listening to her all week, and plan to keep doing so for a very very long time.

Bravo!

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author

Thanks so much - glad I could introduce you to her music.

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Sep 7, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

I was very blessed to see her twice at Blues Alley in DC. Thank you for reminding us all what a great gift she was!

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author

Thank you for reading it and for the kind words - all very much appreciated!

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Sep 5, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

Wow...I just fell in love with "When Sunny Gets Blue" 🟡🔵🔁 Thanks for this amazing issue, Robert 👏

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author

Thanks Stygi!

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Sep 4, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

I had a big crush on Nancy! Beautiful soul and singer!

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Sep 3, 2022Liked by Robert C. Gilbert

Thank you for this. I found her in my dads album collection years ago. I just loved her voice! This brings back such good memories. I will listen to each of the recordings you included. Excellent!

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author

Thanks for reading and happy listening!

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