Myrna Hague

Myrna Hague - Melody Life - Studio One

If only more singers like Myrna had crossed over into reggae from Jazz.

Her graceful vocal range is so different - the way she sings words - lingers like the softest touch - a whisper.

Listen to ‘First Cut Is The Deepest’ she’s not just singing a well known song - she is feeling it. The word ‘Cut’ is isolated adding great emphasis.

It seems she enjoyed her time at Studio One working with Jackie Mittoo on this selection.

‘What About Me’ is probably her best known tune and her biggest tune.

Once again the tune is given meaing - in places

she almost pleads the lyrics.

Jazz is a music that expects a standard. Unlike reggae music where a version always seems to get a fight - people look forward to the ‘Standard’ in Jazz.

‘On A Clear Day’ is one such standard. Jackie livens it up in the only way that Jackie could, but it would have been if Coxsone had pulled out ‘Real Rock’ or ‘Never Let Go’ for her to sing the tune on.

But that is not what Myrna is about. In one word ‘Graceful’.