Gregory Porter Still Rising: The Collection (CD)

Part career-spanning retrospective and part companion album to 2020’s All Rise, 2021’s Still Rising: The Collection brings together some of vocalist Gregory Porter’s most beloved and potent tracks with newly recorded songs.

Along with many solo tracks, there is also a second disc showcasing his ebullient duets with singers like Lalah Hathaway, Renee Fleming, Dianne Reeves, and others. Of the new tracks featured on Still Rising, we get the gospel influenced “I Will,” the romantic piano ballad “Bad Girl Love,” and the kinetic pop anthem “Dry Bones,” the latter of which splits the difference between contemporary hits by Fitz & the Tantrums and the ’80s new wave-infused work of Hall & Oates.

Of the retrospective material, we get cuts like “Illusion” off Porter’s 2010 debut Water, “No Love Dying” off 2013’s Grammy-winning Liquid Spirit, and his cover of the standard “L.O.V.E.” off 2017’s Nat King Cole & Me.

While in no way a standard greatest hits compilation, Still Rising: The Collection nonetheless manages to further illuminate Porter’s decade-long rise from buzzed-about jazz star to one of the most acclaimed and genre-defying vocalists of his generation. (AMG)

Tracklist:
Hey Laura 3:22
Liquid Spirit 3:39
Revival 3:09
1960 What? (Edit) 3:03
Illusion 6:05
1960 What? (Edit) 2:11
Holding On 5:04
Concorde 3:58
If Love Is Overrated 5:55
I Will 4:27
Real Good Hands 4:12
My Babe 4:17
Bad Girl Love 4:40
No Love Dying (2021 “Still Rising” Version) 5:33
Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad? 4:59
Dry Bones 3:28
Love Runs Deeper (Disney Supporting Make-A-Wish) 3:27
It’s Probably Me (Live At Polar Music Prize, Stockholm / 2017) 4:28
Natural Blues – With Moby & Amythyst Klah 4:28
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood With Jamie Cullum 3:00
Raining In My Heart With Buddy Holly 2:50
People Will Say We’re In Love 3:14
Grandma’s Hands With Ben L’Oncle Soul 3:33
Christmas Prayer With Paloma Faith 3:25
Insanity With Lalah Hathaway 5:05
Make Someone Happy With Jeff Goldblum 4:33
Fly Me To The Moon 2:43
Satiated With Dianne Reeves 5:41
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas With Renee Fleming 3:36
The Girl From Ipanema With Nat King Cole 2:56
Water Under Bridges With Laura Mvula 3:53
Right Where You Are With Lizz Wright 5:26
Heart And Soul With Yo-Yo Ma & The Silk Road Ensemble & Lisa Fischer 3:57
Making Love Duet With Trijntje Oosterhuis 4:30