Dida Pelled – I Wish I Was A Single Girl Again
I like classic rock music, alt-country, singer-songwriter tunes, folk-rock, blues, (both modern & vintage). But what can be compelling is a generous dip into soft jazz – not the middle-of-the-road type, lounge or piano bar-type jazz – but the kind that has a late-night groove, after hours, down to the last call cocktail, the crushed soft cigarette pack beside the fancy ashtray, lipstick-stained glass of gin & tonic singer.
Phoebe Snow, Jane Oliver, Madeline Peyroux, Julie London, Peggy Lee (“Why Don’t You Do Right”), Bird York (“In the Deep”), Diana Krall, Anjani (Thomas) & Norah Jones have that kind of tone. So does Dida Pelled.
The majority of tunes are pensive & expressive pieces with a deep 1950s B&W nightclub, cabaret scene radiance. Bob Dylan’s “Shooting Star” is appropriate followed by “I Wish I Was A Single Girl Again,” & “Travelin’ Light.” Along with her voice is the ideal accompaniment & arrangements on each. There are 9 gently rendered jewels to Dida’s 6th album I Wish I Was A Single Girl Again (Dropped Oct. 23/La Reserve/37:05) produced & recorded in NY by Matt Pierson. The Brooklyn-based singer, has at times, a tonality similar to Billie Holiday but not as nicotine textured, especially on “Moonlight Becomes You.” Dida’s voice is soothing. Has just the right whiskey amber touch reflected by candlelight.
What’s surprising is her original “Pigtails” which falls right into place has the proper nostalgia & her pen (co-written with Yammi Wesler) has the emulsion of the ‘50’s musical scenario. Her “Sleeping In the Closet” (co-written by Jenna Danneberger) continues in this tradition. There’s an understanding of the genre better than most. These are all potential standards mixed up with the easy listening classics of another era & blended naturally.
Dida (guitar) has moments of humor that keeps her repertoire entertaining. But it’s her interpretations of standards that shine. She doesn’t sing with any retro missteps or novelty. She reinvigorates and gives the numbers new life with ingenuity. While Dida doesn’t have the raw qualities of a Nina Simone, she does have that kind of attraction through her performance (though nothing in her current songbook is controversial). The concept, the aim of this set, has been created with sensibility & a deft touch.
There are no wild excursions. Even Lou Reed’s “Goodnight Ladies” slips in with a piano-bar sensitivity & Dida’s articulation, intonation & phrasing is applied with finesse. It’s sad, the famous songwriters of the past represented here aren’t aware that their songs have added excitement in 2026 with Ms. Pelled’s refined vocals.
Highlights – “Shooting Star,” “I Wish I Was a Single Girl, Again,” “Travelin’ Light,” “Pigtails,” “Sleeping In the Closet,” “Moonlight Becomes You” & “Goodnight Ladies.”
Musicians – Sullivan Fortner (piano/organ/Rhodes), Kenny Wollesen (drums/percussion), Tony Scherr (bass/additional guitar) & Emmanuel Michael (guitar on “Travelin’ Light”).
CD & color image by June Caylan. CD @ Apple + Amazon & https://didamusic.com/