Matt Monro Forum

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned her before, but Basia (full name: Basia Trzetrzelewska) is probably my favourite female singer. Though she is Polish born, she moved to the UK in 1981. I first noticed Basia on a Los Angeles "smooth jazz" station (called "The Wave") around 1990. Though she is a native of Poland, much of Basia's music has a Bossa Nova beat to it, so her style resembles the music done by Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66. The Basia album that came out in 1990 that first captured my attention was called "London Warsaw New York."

Other favourite female singers of mine include Gloria Estefan and Linda Ronstadt. What about Barbra Streisand? I admit she has an excellent natural voice and is very talented, but too often, she tries too hard. When she sings in her natural voice, from the diaphragm, she is wonderful. But, too often, she goes into this nasal mode that resembles the "waa waa" mute of a trumpet and produces these falsetto sounds that sound like someone turned up the tremolo control on the amplifier too high! My favourite Streisand song is her rendition of "There's a Place for Us" from West Side Story. Not only is her singing at its best in that song, but the musical arrangement is superb.

Can't say I have ever heard of Basia before, but you make her sound interesting Warren

I have never heard Basia mentioned on here before--I do have one of her cds [single] called "Drunk on love", which I really like.

I love Barbra Streisand and have all her cds and dvds. I thought she was great in "Yentl" one of my favourite films.

You mentioned Gloria Estefan and Linda Ronstadt previously---my favourite of Gloria Estefan was "The Homecoming concert" with Miami Sound Machine. And Linda Ronstadt "Round Midnight".

Karen Carpenter is a big favourite on the Forum.

mariana44 wrote:I have never heard Basia mentioned on here before--I do have one of her cds [single] called "Drunk on love", which I really like.

I love Barbra Streisand and have all her cds and dvds. I thought she was great in "Yentl" one of my favourite films.

You mentioned Gloria Estefan and Linda Ronstadt previously---my favourite of Gloria Estefan was "The Homecoming concert" with Miami Sound Machine. And Linda Ronstadt "Round Midnight".

Karen Carpenter is a big favourite on the Forum.

I'm glad to find another Basia fan here. Since she has spent much time in the UK, I expected she would have a smattering of fans in Britain. I forgot to mention in my previous post that her name is pronounced "Bah-Sha," rather than "Bas-e-a," as it is spelled. As for her last name! It is obvious why she doesn't use it as a performer, since those not fluent in Polish would have a very difficult time with it!

I mostly remember Basia from singing with Matt Bianco.

I liked Basia's London Warsaw New York album, especially Baby You're Mine. I wish she put a bit more passion in her singing.

I guess she has retired from the music business.