Heal Your Soul: Fatoumata Diawara's Favourite Music | Page 4 of 14 | The Quietus

Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

3. Ella FitzgeraldBlue Moon

Ella Fitzgerald – I love her voice! She’s very strong, she’s beautiful. The words are so poetic, the image of the blue moon. I like to listen to those women [Nina, Billie and Ella] because they’re very relaxed when they sing. At the same time, there’s something boiling inside. I recognise myself in them because when you listen to my records, I’m a very relaxed girl, very simple. But behind all that kindness, behind the soft voice, there’s something very heavy. I’m still in love with this feeling. They’ve got the real blues – the blues voice, feeling and soul.

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