Nellie McKay sings the Doris Day songbook

Over the course of her three albums to date, precociously gifted singer-songwriter Nellie McKay has diligently repackaged vintage musical styles in her own inimitable way, and her forthcoming release Normal As Blueberry Pie looks set to continue that trend. Due October 13 (US) through Verve Forecast, it finds the impish singer paying tribute to one of her all-time musical heroes, Doris Day, with a dozen songs plucked from the prolific actress and singer’s 600+-strong catalogue and one McKay original. Nellie’s fascination with Doris Day began at a very young age, not just because of her music or her films, but also because of her dedication to animal rights activism, of which Nellie is also a famous proponent.

In 2007, Nellie became one of the few people in the last 30 years to interview her icon, and later reviewed a new biography of Doris’s life. “What she possessed – beyond her beauty, physical grace, and natural acting ability – was a resplendent voice that conveyed enormous warmth and feeling,” she wrote in The New York Times. “From time capsule to timeless, her humanity always shines through. Her canon combines modern freshness with reassurance.”

Recorded using four different vintage microphones, Normal As Blueberry Pie was produced and arranged by Nellie with some extra input from Grammy-winning engineer James Farber (Jane Monheit, Meredith Monk). Described in the press release as “Exasperating, exhilarating and altogether uncategorisable,” it sounds like another winning turn from a highly individual talent. Can’t wait to hear it.

Tracklist:
01 The Very Thought Of You
02 Do Do Do
03 Wonderful Guy
04 Meditation
05 Mean To Me
06 Crazy Rhythm
07 Sentimental Journey
08 If I Ever Had A Dream
09 Black Hills Of Dakota
10 Dig It
11 Send Me No Flowers
12 Close Your Eyes
13 I Remember You

Tagged doris day, nellie mckay, normal as blueberry pie