Angie Wells – “Truth Be Told”

1)   THERE’S ALWAYS TIME FOR LOVIN’ 3:35

2)   DO I MOVE YOU 3:35

3)   WHERE THE LIVIN’ IS GOOD 4:56

4)   TRUTH BE TOLD 3:11

5)   ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE 3:14

6)   I’VE GOT A FEELING (HYMN VERSION)1:22

7)   NICK OF TIME. 4:10

8)   HERE’S TO LIFE 5:33

9)   TALKIN’ ALL UNDER MY CLOTHES 5:03

10) I’VE GOT A FEELING (HUMMING VERSION) 0:40

11) YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS 3:27

12) MOANIN’/WORK SONG MEDLEY 4:09

13) I WISH I’D MET YOU 5:38

14) I’VE GOT A FEELING (MUSIC BOX VERSION) 0:59

15) THEY CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME 1:22

16) I’VE GOT A FEELING (FULL BAND/VOCAL VERSION) 1:38

FEATURING:

Special Guest: 

John Clayton-bass(11)

Zion G – vocals (15)

Katisse Buckingham-flute(12)/Clayton Cameron-drums

Carey Frank-Hammond-B3(12)/Larry Koonse-guitar(1, 2, 8)

Ivan Malespin-trombone(1,9)/Josh Nelson-piano

Kye Palmer-flugelhorn(3), trumpet(1)/Jacob Scesney-tenor sax(1, 5)

Trevor Ware-bass

Lynne Fiddmont-Background vocals (4, 16), Snaps and Claps(4) 

Valerie Geason-Background vocals (4, 16), Snaps and Claps(4)

WHY “TRUTH BE TOLD?”

In the summer of 2020 many of us witnessed the brutal death of George Floyd and the worldwide protests for justice and peace that followed. Although I was sad and angry I felt a glimmer of hope as I watched people of all races, nationalities, cultures, sexual orientations and religions take to the streets together.

About two weeks later as I was taking a pleasure drive in silence, I began to hear and feel a melody rise from inside. The melody came in the form of a deep emotional humming that felt like it was coming directly from my ancestors. This melody stayed in my head in the following days and began combining with the phrase “truth be told” until a song was born.

As Truth Be Told became a living song I realized I wanted to embark upon a new recording project. I wanted this project to be a collection of original music and covers that spoke to the various truths of my life relating to daily living, love, joy, sadness, family, spirituality and hope. I decided to title the project Truth Be Told.

I wrote 3 additional originals for the project. There’s Always Time For Lovin’ speaks to the importance of making time for love in our busy lives, while Talkin’ All Under My Clothes is a humorous nod to the language of flirtation. The final original, Where The Livin’ Is Good takes a satirical look at being homeless while living within a neighborhood of homes worth millions of dollars.

I then chose songs to cover. Some relate to specific events in my life like the Sunday afternoons of my childhood spent listening to jazz and blues on vinyl with my dad, falling in love and becoming a mother. Others relate to the timeless universal truths of life and living we all have in common.

I wanted to include a song to reflect the spirituality, faith, strength, and hope of my ancestors in the face of adversity. I thought of my great grandmother who always believed everything would be alright no matter what was happening. Faith was the constant thread through her life. That inspired me to include the gospel standard “I’ve Got A Feeling (Everything Is Gonna Be Alright)” as short musical interludes throughout the recording as a tribute to her, to faith and to all who created the ladder on which we were able to climb higher than they were.
About Angie Wells
Angie Wells has a smokey well rounded voice that can give listeners goosebumps on a ballad and then turn around to get them tapping their feet when she swings. She has the ability to entertain her audience in a way that is truly captivating by giving a show in the true sense of the word with glamorous costume changes, humorous banter and a voice that keeps her audience hanging on to every note. Angie truly believes a performance is a symbiotic exchange of energy between herself and her audience and gives her all at every moment.

Angie began her singing career in an intimate little supper club in St. Germain des Pres in Paris when she joined the trio playing that night for a few tunes. Since then she has returned to France to tour with French pianist Raphael Lemonnier. Wells qualified as a semi-finalist in the first annual Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition and has played and recorded at home with some of LA’s best jazz musicians including John Clayton, Clayton Cameron, Bill Cunliffe, Quentin Dennard, Kenny Elliot Christian Euman, Henry Franklin, Sam Hirsh, Jim Hughart, Harry Kim, Larry Koonse, Paul Kreibich, James Leary, Joe LaBarbera, Jack Lecompte, Edwin Livingston, Josh Nelson,Trevor Ware, Tom Warrington and Rickey Woodard. She has performed at various jazz/music festivals in the U.S. including The Telluride Jazz Festival and The San Jose Summer Jazz Fest as guest vocalist of Kermit Ruffins, KJAZZ LACMA Jazz Series and in France The MoZ’aique Festival, Festival Jazz au Chateau, Festival Jazz De Colliure, Festival Jazz de Monsegur to name just a few.

Angie’s official debut CD with Raphael Lemonnier titled LOVE and MISCHIEF was released in 2017 to a series of noteworthy reviews including: All About Jazz, Contemporary Fusion Reviews, Midwest Record Review and her original composition “She Ain’t The Kinda Girl” reached #4 on France’s Jazz Radio.

Angie’s sophomore recording project Truth Be Told is a collection of original tunes and cover songs which speak to the truths of life. The project is produced by John Clayton and it set for release February 17, 2023.
“What they are saying about
Angie Wells”

“Angie Wells is an impressive young singer who has had success in France. She has a beautiful voice, a quietly expressive style, and is particularly rewarding when singing a lowdown blues or making every note count on a slow ballad. She consistently puts a lot of feeling and understanding into the lyrics that she interprets.”- Scott Yanow,LA Jazz Scene

“Angie Wells is a jazz singer with a rich beautiful sound and a big beat. She understands the meaning of a lyric and really makes it come alive. It is a pleasure to work with her and I know people will enjoy her.” – Bill Cunliffe, Grammy winning jazz pianist/composer

“Angie Wells is a fine new voice who knows how to deliver great tunes: swinging and soulful.” – Joe LaBarbera, jazz drummer

“All of us want music to move us. The components that make up the performance that touches us must be balanced and effective. We want the groove to feel good, the lyrics to affect us, the melody to be something we can relate to, and so on.This breakdown of music is exactly what Angie Wells achieves on this recording. This is one of those musical, fun, deep and meaningful outings. When you listen to all of the tracks, her entire expression here, you’ll get the full scope of the music’s powerful impact.

Not only is this album intimate and personal for Angie, it shows off her excellent musicianship. When combined with her stellar, sensitive, soulful and swinging musicians, they all knock the entire project out of the park! We so appreciate Angie’s storytelling and her work as a guide through these chapters. What fun to be a part of her artistic life and witness her make things come alive when she sings. Thank you, Angie.”
-Legendary jazz bassist John Clayton


For more information on Angie Wells please visit:
www.angiewellsjazz1.com