Don't do what I did which was to sigh and say, "Not another chick singing standards that every wannabe from time immemorial has done and that's without mentioning the Ellas Peggys and Billies".
That was before I actually got around to listening to what is actually a very fine album.
Stevenson has one of those gentle voices, the kind that creeps up on you rather than one that hits you in the face. Peggy Lee and Blossom Dearie had that quality - Daryl Sherman still does and Fleur is close to that league.
Billington provides the perfect, sympathetic accompaniment whether on piano, guitar, bass or, I kid you not, viola on Stella - surely a first!
I know you've heard most of the songs before - that's the beauty of the GASbook you can hear a hundred versions and, given the singer, each one can come out differently. Stevenson's interpretations are distinctly individual and are well worth checking out.
And, and this is most important, she doesn't sing Summertime which, in my eyes, immediately gives her contender status. One minor point, I would have liked some more up tempo stuff although the odd snatches of scat did break things up a little. Nevertheless, that small quibble won't stop me putting it on repeat on the car stereo.
The album is launched at The Pheasantry, Pizza Express, Chelsea on Oct. 26. Lance
A Time For Love; When Sunny Gets Blue; Small Day Tomorrow; I've Got You Under my Skin; For All we Know; I've Grown Accustomed to His Face; Everything Must Change; Stella by Starlight; I Fall in Love Too Easily; My Buddy.
1 comment :
Perfect review, and I can confirm that it was a very special evening. I did grab a copy of the album at the Pheasantry, however I passed it on to our friends who were visiting all the way from Gander, Newfoundland, who we brought with us for the evening.
Rest assured I shall be replacing it when I next see Fleur or Pete though.
I would definitely rate these guys highly, especially on this album.
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