CD Review: Stacey Kent - I Know I Dream - The Orchestral Sessions

Stacey Kent (vocal); Jim Tomlinson (tenor) + 58 piece orchestra.
(Review by Lance).

Yet another woman singer although Stacey Kent is hardly just 'another woman singer'! Over the years, with a shelf full of highly acclaimed albums, her position near the top end of the pecking order is undisputed and this latest one only serves to consolidate that position.

The voice is as silky and appealing as always, not least when she sings in her impeccable French. The nuances of that language, to me, seem to lend themselves to jazz almost as much as the varying shades of the American accent do. Often more so.

The idea of a 58 piece orchestra may seem a daunting prospect to both singer and listener.

Not so. 

The arrangements are so skilfully crafted that singer and strings are as one and when Jim Tomlinson floats in on tenor one can't help but think of those albums that Stan Getz made with Eddie Sauter; Jim has that Getzian fluidity about his playing. The tenor playing husband of Ms. Kent also wrote four new compositions with lyrics by Kazuo Ishiguro as well as co-producing (with, among others,  Tommy Lawrence) and conducting the orchestra. Not bad going for a guy raised in Hexham.

There's also some Brazilian numbers evoking the Gilberto/Getz/Jobim era and a lovely relaxed take on That's All.

Well worth checking out an album by a singer who sets the standard for many would be singers (irrespective of gender) to aspire to.

Double Rainbow; Photograph; Les Amours Perdues; Bullet Train; To Say Goodbye; Make it Up; Avec le Temps; I Know I Dream; La Rua Madureira; Mais Uma Vez; That's All; The Changing Lights.

Lance.

Available OKeh Records.

Listen.