Stacey Kent: The Boy Next Door
Author: Peter Quinn
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Musicians: |
David Newton (p, ky, v) |
Label: |
Candid |
Magazine Review Date: |
June/2023 |
Media Format: |
CD, 2 LP, DL |
Catalogue Number: |
CCD 32022 |
RecordDate: |
Rec. 18-22 February 2003 |
Released in 2003, this collection of songs associated with some of her musical heroes was Kent’s last Candid release and her first album to achieve Gold status.
As well as the more obvious tributes to the likes of Tony Bennett (album opener ‘The Best Is Yet To Come’), Frank Sinatra (the Hugh Martin/Ralph Blane-penned title track) and Chet Baker (a captivating voice/guitar duet version of ‘I Get Along Without You Very Well’, famously recorded on Chet Baker Sings), there are also nods to Ray Charles (‘Makin’ Whoopee’, which sees Newton switching to organ), Burt Bacharach (a touching piano/vocal take on ‘What the World Needs Now Is Love’), plus Dave Brubeck (a sparkling ‘The Trolley Song’).
From the 1943 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, Oklahoma!, the bossa-style textural layerings of ‘People Will Say We’re in Love’ provides a nod to baritone singer Gordon MacRae who performed the song in the 1955 film version. Kent also pays homage to Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, lovingly caressing the lyrics in a supremely slow take on ‘I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)’, which the duo recorded on their 1963 album The Great Reunion. Written by Joe Carroll and Bill Graham and first released by Dizzy Gillespie and his Orchestra in 1953, ‘Ooh-Shoo-Be-Doo-Bee’ sees the band plus recording engineer Curtis Schwartz gamely supplying the backing vocals, while the Paul Simon vignette ‘Bookends’ provides the poignant endnote with its memorable closing line urging the listener to, “Preserve your memories, they’re all that’s left you”.
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