Crystal Shawanda “Sing Pretty Blues”
Americana Highways brings you this video premiere of Crystal Shawanda’s song “Sing Pretty Blues,” which is the title track from her recently released album. The album was produced, engineered and mixed by Dewayne Strobel with Crystal as executive producer. It was mastered by Benny Quinn. Photos on the album were courtesy of Nora Canfield and Dewayne Strobel, with album design by Simon Evers.
“Sing Pretty Blues” features Zhaawande, Crystal’s daughter, who sings backgrounds on the recording. Musicians on the song are Crystal Shawanda on vocals and background vocals; Dewayne Strobel on guitars and percussion; Nioshi Jackson on drums; Jonathan Nixon on bass; Peter Keys on keys and B3; Stephan Hanner on harp; Chris West on horns, and Zhaawande Strobel on background vocals.
This video was filmed and edited by Dewayne Strobel and Crystal Shawanda, and stars Crystal and Zhaawande Strobel. It was filmed in the former office/studio of Waylon Jennings, in Nashville, by Sunchaser productions.
As Crystal tells us, “The title ‘Sing Pretty Blues’ was inspired by a conversation I had with a photographer as I was coming off stage. He said: ‘great show tonight, I think I got some good shots but it’s kind of hard because you don’t sing pretty.’
“At first, I thought: ‘what do I do with that?’ But I decided to take the photographer’s words as a compliment. He was right, I don’t sing pretty. I work way too hard for that. I sing my heart out, to every single person listening.
“And there are a lot of themes of resilience and recovery in the songs on this album. Healing isn’t always pretty. This album is about reclaiming and embracing who we are — all the parts of us — even the parts that aren’t pretty.”
How important is it to sing pretty? Crystal tackles this head on with her power vocals in this video that absolutely makes the point: you feel the message in your soul. “No I don’t sing pretty but I sing every word straight to you.” Featuring Crystal’s young daughter in pink boots singing background delivers the significance for the next generation too. A powerful creation.
Find the music here: https://CrystalShawandaMusic.com
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Crystal Shawanda “Midnight Blues”
