For those not in the know, within her latest album Motherhood, Brenda Earle Stokes shares the journey of motherhood with songs exploring identity, fear, expectations, body image, friendship and growth.

Rooted in her native language of jazz, Stokes drew additional inspiration from singer-songwriters, music theater, spoken word and 1960s protest songs.

Each song is richly orchestrated by a four-piece ensemble jazz ensemble which provides an energetic backdrop for Stokes’ material which is at once honest, thought provoking and laced with humor.

1. The Endless Wait (5:00)
2. This is Your Childhood (4:25)
3. Who Am I Now? (4:54)
4. Where Are the Mothers? (5:05)
5. Kathleen (6:35)
6. Loose Tooth Blues (6:51)
7. Saying Goodbye (4:57)
8. Sharp Edges (8:11)
9. The Strength of a Woman (5:24)
10. Happy Mother’s Day (3:48)

This expertly sculpted, and wholly impassioned with a funny bone new recording opens on the languishing The Endless Wait and the beautiful dancefloor swirl of This is Your Childhood and then we get brought forth the delicately jaunty Who Am I Now?, the veritably shimmering Where Are the Mothers?, before the impassioned Kathleen is brought forth.

They are all then followed by the snappy Loose Tooth Blues and the Joni Mitchell-esque (only within its vocally melodically hipsway though) Saying Goodbye, which are in turn backed by the informative, spoken-word Sharp Edges, the album rounding out on the reaching The Strength of a Woman, closing on the joyful bounce of Happy Mother’s Day.

Personnel:
Brenda Earle Stokes - vocals, piano, producer
Evan Gregor - bass
Ross Pederson - drums
Ingrid Jensen - trumpet
Melissa Stylianou and Nicole Zuraitis - supporting vocals

Official Website