Description
Kandace Springs – The Women Who Raised Me – Double Vinyl Record
Kandace Springs – The Women Who Raised Me, released on March 27, 2020, is a stunning tribute album that honors the female vocalists who shaped Springs’ artistry, soul, and sense of musical identity. With her velvety tone, jazz-trained phrasing, and blend of old-school elegance with contemporary nuance, Springs curates a heartfelt homage to legendary women in jazz, soul, and pop who helped form the foundation of modern vocal music. The record stands as both a deeply personal project and a broader cultural celebration of trailblazing female voices.
Springs, a classically trained pianist and singer from Nashville, is known for her ability to straddle jazz, R&B, and singer-songwriter traditions with grace and subtlety. On The Women Who Raised Me, she leans fully into her jazz and soul roots, covering songs made famous by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Dusty Springfield, Lauryn Hill, Norah Jones, and others. Rather than mimic the originals, she delivers them with a restrained elegance and modern sensibility, guided by a deep respect for their emotional weight and historical importance.
The album opens with “Devil May Care” (made famous by Diana Krall), and immediately, the tone is set: Springs doesn’t need to over-sing or over-arrange—her voice floats effortlessly above the accompaniment, displaying both technical control and interpretive depth. The track swings lightly but confidently, signaling that this is a jazz record at heart, but one that understands the power of space and mood.
Other highlights include:
“I Put a Spell on You” (Nina Simone) – A slow, smoky rendition that highlights Springs’ ability to channel intensity through subtlety. Her phrasing evokes Simone’s emotional gravity, but with a smoother, sultrier timbre.
“Gentle Rain” (Astrud Gilberto) – Springs delivers a bossa nova gem with intimate delicacy, her vocals barely rising above a whisper at times, as if inviting the listener into a private moment.
“Killing Me Softly” (Roberta Flack via Lauryn Hill) – Springs merges the emotional introspection of the original with a contemporary, almost neo-soul undercurrent, making it one of the most accessible and resonant tracks for modern audiences.
“Pearls” (Sade) – One of the more modern selections, this cover captures Sade’s emotional minimalism while allowing Springs to bring her own warmth to the haunting ballad.
“Ex-Factor” (Lauryn Hill) – A bold choice from the hip-hop-soul canon, but Springs reimagines it with a stripped-down, piano-led arrangement that emphasizes heartbreak and vulnerability.
Throughout the album, Springs is accompanied by a stellar ensemble, with arrangements that are minimalist and tasteful, putting her voice and piano work at the forefront. The record was produced by Larry Klein (known for his work with Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, and Madeleine Peyroux), and his touch is evident in the album’s balance between sophistication and intimacy.
One of the most striking aspects of The Women Who Raised Me is how it connects generations of female artistry—from jazz matriarchs like Billie Holiday and Carmen McRae to more contemporary influences like Norah Jones and Lauryn Hill. Springs herself bridges these worlds, drawing a line from classic jazz vocal traditions to the soul-inflected storytelling of the 21st century.
The album was praised for its graceful execution, emotional intelligence, and heartfelt intent. Rather than being a showcase of vocal acrobatics or flashy reinterpretations, it’s a love letter—elegant, grounded, and reverent. Springs proves that she doesn’t need to shout to be heard; her quiet confidence and deep emotional resonance speak volumes.
The Women Who Raised Me is a beautiful and thoughtful exploration of musical lineage, delivered by a vocalist and pianist who knows how to honor her influences while still sounding wholly her own. It’s an album that invites both deep listening and emotional reflection, and it secures Kandace Springs’ place among the most refined jazz-soul vocalists of her generation.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic sealed
Track Listing
Devil May Care
Angel Eyes
I Put A Spell On You
Pearls
Ex-Factor
I Can’t Make You Love Me
Gentle Rain
Solitude
The Nearness Of You
What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
Killing Me Softly With This Song
Strange Fruit
