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Nellie's choice

By Jon Bream

April 3, 2008 at 10:30PM

NELLIE'S CHOICE

Nellie McKay has eclectic tastes and influences -- from old school to contemporary, from icons to obscurities. Via e-mail, she discussed favorite albums by her five favorite artists.

LEE WILEY

Who: Probably the most respected white female jazz vocalist of the 1950s.

Album: "Night in Manhattan" (1950).

Nellie says: "Smooth and luscious."

VUSI MAHLASELA

Who: Contemporary South African star who's not afraid to put politics into his poetry. (He performs April 27 at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis.)

Album: "Guiding Star" (2007).

Nellie says: "Warm and uplifting."

BOB DYLAN & THE BAND

Who: American icon, backed by the pioneers of Americana.

Album: "The Basement Tapes" (recorded 1968 but released '75).

Nellie says: "The roots of America."

BILLIE HOLIDAY

Who: America's most influential jazz/blues singer.

Album: "Lady in Satin" (1958).

Nellie says: "All the pain in the world."

SAM COOKE

Who: America's first and most influential soul music star, shot to death in 1964 at age 33.

Album: "Keep Movin' On" (2002 compilation).

Nellie says: "The heart to go on."

about the writer

Jon Bream

Critic / Reporter

Jon Bream has been a music critic at the Star Tribune since 1975, making him the longest tenured pop critic at a U.S. daily newspaper. He has attended more than 8,000 concerts and written four books (on Prince, Led Zeppelin, Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan). Thus far, he has ignored readers’ suggestions that he take a music-appreciation class.