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Cassandra Wilson — Death Letter
Album: New Moon Daughter
Avg rating:
7.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 619









Released: 1995
Length: 4:02
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I got a letter this mornin, how do you reckon it read?
It said, "Hurry, hurry, yeah, your love is dead."
I got a letter this mornin, I say how do you reckon it read?
You know, it said, "Hurry, hurry, how come the gal you love is dead?"

So, I grabbed up my suitcase, and took off down the road.
When I got there she was layin on a coolin board.
I grabbed up my suitcase, and I said and I took off down the road.
I said, but when I got there she was already layin on a coolin board.

Well, I walked up right close, looked down in her face.
Said, the good ole gal got to lay here til the Judgment Day.
I walked up right close, and I said I looked down in her face.
I said the good ole gal, she got to lay here til the Judgment Day.

Looked like there was 10,000 people standin round the buryin ground.
I didn't know I loved her til they laid her down.
Looked like 10,000 were standin round the buryin ground.
You know I didn't know I loved her til they damn laid her down.

Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul.
I wouldn't mistreat you baby, for my weight in gold.
I said, Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul.
You know I wouldn't mistreat nobody, baby, not for my weight in gold.

Well, I folded up my arms and I slowly walked away.
I said, "Farewell honey, I'll see you on Judgment Day."
Ah, yeah, oh, yes, I slowly walked away.
I said, "Farewell, farewell, I'll see you on the Judgment Day."

You know I went in my room, I bowed down to pray.
The blues came along and drove my spirit away.
I went in my room, I said I bowed down to pray.
I said the blues came along and drove my spirit away.

You know I didn't feel so bad, til the good ole sun went down.
I didn't have a soul to throw my arms around
Comments (64)add comment
 thewiseking wrote:

i never dug the raspy dyke vocal syle myself. this stuff and tracy chapman is really music only your english teacher can love.

Not actually too wise, are you?

Posted 10 months ago by TurtleMan    [ Reply ]
 bluematrix wrote:

This is nice. Tip o the hat to Bill my fine musical educator for yet another cool artist to add to my collection.




I Agree completely!  I gave it an 8.  Thanx RP!   
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 plutodazed wrote:
So I'm typing another when this song comes on. I don't notice it---because it has no substance.


and yet here you are noticing enough to comment.
Posted 1 year ago by glowworm    [ Reply ]
 michaelgmitchell wrote:

Young lady, put a shirt on. Great track, by the way.

Good play on the vestigial new moon, methinks.

Posted 1 year ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
This album is on my desert island short list...this cover alone is enough to make it so.  Simply hypnotic...
Posted 1 year ago by craigandbee    [ Reply ]
I love this album. I wish I loved her others near as much. Travelling Miles is pretty good, and none are bad, but this one stands alone, in my opinion.
Posted 3 years ago by MLavender    [ Reply ]
This album is jam-packed with excellent music and extremely original song interpretations. A long-time favorite of mine...
Posted 3 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Love that sultry, creepy sound
Posted 3 years ago by S-curvy    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
 khardog145 wrote:
Saw her on Austin City Limits and WOW, she blew us away.  She is an amazing performer and her band is wonderful.  I'm hoping she will be passing through the Chicago area soon.
 

I've seen her a few times - she is amazing. Always has a top notch band. Wish RP played more of her tracks - she has some great covers, and her album Traveling Miles is stellar. 
Posted 4 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
Posted 5 years ago by codeic    [ Reply ]
This is nice. Tip o the hat to Bill my fine musical educator for yet another cool artist to add to my collection.
Posted 5 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
Saw her on Austin City Limits and WOW, she blew us away.  She is an amazing performer and her band is wonderful.  I'm hoping she will be passing through the Chicago area soon.
Posted 5 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
 zedstation wrote:
Thanks RP.

 
...and thanks again.
Posted 7 years ago by zedstation    [ Reply ]
Thanks RP.
Posted 7 years ago by zedstation    [ Reply ]
I keep hearing Sara Vaughn in her voice. 

Cool album cover. I have this CD. It's pretty good for sitting around campfire.   
Posted 7 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 jadewahoo wrote:

Next time your misanthropic seethings begin to bubble forth from your phobia ridden brain, please log out of RP first.

 
Good comment :)  Great artist


Posted 7 years ago by a_conway    [ Reply ]
 motoboy145 wrote:
good God this woman is BODACIOUS!!!

 
: )
Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Thanks RP.  Had this CD (where is it?) Saw her in concert in a small Boston venue and she was fantastic.  As sensual as she appears on the cover and in her voice.
 
Posted 9 years ago by kimschoice    [ Reply ]
Cassandra is fantastic! This song is a beauty, her voice solid and compelling, and if I was the photographer at that moment there would be just the one photo, I'd chuck the Kodak and caress that delicious vixen ..
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
i never dug the raspy dyke vocal syle myself. this stuff and tracy chapman is really music only your english teacher can love.
 
I am your English teacher, and we are legion.
Posted 9 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
She's trying too hard and coming up short.  
Posted 11 years ago by MojoJojo    [ Reply ]
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
Young lady, put a shirt on. Great track, by the way.
 
And you young man, should put a sock in it.  {#Razz}
Posted 11 years ago by Rooney    [ Reply ]
HOT STUFF!
Posted 11 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
. . . with a drop of Nina Simone . . .
  My thought exactly.

And the goof who wants her to put a shirt on? What are you thinking, man?!


Posted 11 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
{#Clap}
Posted 11 years ago by shellbella    [ Reply ]
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
Young lady, put a shirt on. Great track, by the way.
 
I think she looks good with her shirt off
Posted 12 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
Young lady, put a shirt on. Great track, by the way.
Posted 12 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]

Here's the Son House version, for historical perspective; he wrote this song:

{#Sad}


Posted 12 years ago by Otomi    [ Reply ]
Wow, great to hear the amazing Cassandra on R.P. This album is a favorite of mine. The backing band uses interesting sounds and textures that rigorously avoid jazz/R&B clichés. And she knows how to use her voice. 9
Posted 13 years ago by alaken    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
i never dug the raspy dyke vocal syle myself. this stuff and tracy chapman is really music only your english teacher can love.
Not that it matters...

Wilson was married to Anthony Wilson from 1981 to 1983.<8> She was also married to saxophonist Henry Threadgill.<9>

She has a son, Jeris, born in the late 1980s. Her song "Out Loud (Jeris' Blues)" is from the album She Who Weeps. For many years she and her son lived in Harlem, New York, in an apartment that once belonged to jazz great Duke Ellington.<10>

In 2000, Wilson married actor Isaach de Bankolé, who directed her in the concert film Traveling Miles: Cassandra Wilson (2000).

 
Next time your misanthropic seethings begin to bubble forth from your phobia ridden brain, please log out of RP first.

Posted 13 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
This woman has a voice like a smoldering fire! Whoa! Love it!
Posted 13 years ago by jadewahoo    [ Reply ]
 a_genuine_find wrote:
somewhere between Joan Armatrading and Tracy Chapman

... I like it....
 
. . . with a drop of Nina Simone . . .

Posted 13 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
you are kidding, right?   because if you're not, then you need to turn it up and really listen.

 plutodazed wrote:
So I'm typing another when this song comes on. I don't notice it—-because it has no substance.
 


Posted 14 years ago by musickat    [ Reply ]
 Typesbad wrote:
The vocals don't do much for me but I love the instrumentation, tempo and overall slow blues burn to this song. A great follow up to the Cowboy Junkies.
 exactly what I was thinking.  I love what's going on behind the vocals (which are ok) 


Posted 14 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
its good :)

Posted 15 years ago by Candela    [ Reply ]
I'm liking what I've been hearing from Cassandra Wilson on RP!  {#Cheers}
Posted 15 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
 thewiseking wrote:
i never dug the raspy dyke vocal syle myself. this stuff and tracy chapman is really music only your english teacher can love.
 

Ouch ... Fast Car, maybe ... but this and New Beginning by TC have great grooves.

And, dyke or not (don't have a clue and don't care), that's a damn sexy picture of Cassandra.
Posted 15 years ago by keller1    [ Reply ]
a_genuine_find wrote:
somewhere between Joan Armatrading and Tracy Chapman

... I like it....


Uh unlike Tracy Chapman this lady has a soul.

Posted 15 years ago by vit    [ Reply ]
SHE'S AHEAD BY A BODY LENGTH....WILL IT BE A NEW WORLD RECORD, YES! CASSANDRA WILSON TAKES GOLD! Nihao Wa takes silver, Xie Xie takes bronze in the 200M Fly!
Posted 15 years ago by baltimorelovejoy    [ Reply ]
Josephine wrote:
actually, only music those without narrow-minded and prejudice attitudes can love. 'cause you have to have a heart open to the world to appreciate the real wonders of all-music


You got it Momma.
Posted 15 years ago by Otomi    [ Reply ]
Interesting history to this song. Ms. Wilson does it justice... (click here)
Posted 15 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
The slide guitar is amazing
Posted 16 years ago by bdwelch    [ Reply ]
somewhere between Joan Armatrading and Tracy Chapman ... I like it....
Posted 16 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
thewiseking wrote:
i never dug the raspy dyke vocal syle myself. this stuff and tracy chapman is really music only your english teacher can love.
Josephine wrote:
actually, only music those without narrow-minded and prejudice attitudes can love. 'cause you have to have a heart open to the world to appreciate the real wonders of all-music
oh YES!
Posted 16 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
Cool, nice, after a long day.
Posted 16 years ago by sjcleveland    [ Reply ]
...very nice...
Posted 16 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
Whew! Some of the comments here don't deserve a response. I'm just happy I can catch a stream that lets me dig it as Cassandra goes floating by. This lady's got some great tunes out there!
Posted 18 years ago by tonypf    [ Reply ]
So I'm typing another when this song comes on. I don't notice it---because it has no substance.
Posted 18 years ago by plutodazed    [ Reply ]
thewiseking wrote:
i never dug the raspy dyke vocal syle myself. this stuff and tracy chapman is really music only your english teacher can love.
Uh......
Posted 18 years ago by timandjuliet    [ Reply ]
i never dug the raspy dyke vocal syle myself. this stuff and tracy chapman is really music only your english teacher can love.
Posted 18 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
One of the many artists out there who I am amazed does not get the attention and praise that is given to other, less talented, artists.
Posted 18 years ago by jenseda    [ Reply ]
Great CD; Her cover of U2's "Love Is Blindness" is outstanding.
Posted 18 years ago by Headhunter    [ Reply ]
iggy33 wrote:
This woman has a ton of talent ! Saw her perform and was overwhelmed by her presence on stage.
Did she have her top on?
Posted 18 years ago by rascal420    [ Reply ]
wonderful song + album, divine artist. i think my favorite tune of hers is a cover of harvest moon. but the i play other songs and think THOSE are my fave. i'm so cunfused! what do i DO?!?!
Posted 19 years ago by bubble_headed_beach_blond    [ Reply ]
redeyespy wrote:
At first I thought this was Tracey Chapman, albeit after a few hard years of Old Grand Dad and Luckies.
They both have similar vocal ranges. Good observation.
Posted 19 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
The beginning sounded a little like the bass player from Morphine. Anyone else hear this?
Posted 19 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Awesome album, fantastic artist - she has a knack for genre bending and great covers. So much soul...
Posted 20 years ago by DBCinCA    [ Reply ]
I first heard her in 1993 and was impressed...I love this woman's voice... It's remarkable!
Posted 20 years ago by soulspin    [ Reply ]
At first I thought this was Tracey Chapman, albeit after a few hard years of Old Grand Dad and Luckies.
Posted 20 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
The vocals don't do much for me but I love the instrumentation, tempo and overall slow blues burn to this song. A great follow up to the Cowboy Junkies.
Posted 20 years ago by Typesbad    [ Reply ]
This woman has a ton of talent ! Saw her perform and was overwhelmed by her presence on stage.
Posted 20 years ago by iggy33    [ Reply ]