A new album by Emma Smith is an event to celebrate and Bitter Orange is certainly one to raise a glass to. Is this her third or fourth? Who's counting? Just as I was captured by her debut album Meshuga Baby, Bitter Orange also has me ensnared.
The voice control is as perfect as I've come to expect and the unusual intervals along with phrasing that is as unique as Sinatra's make Emma Smith a voice to be reckoned with way beyond the confines of our island's shores.
Hey World, Here I am (Intro): A mere 36 seconds is not much, I know, but enough to tell me it's going to be worthwhile listening to the rest. Jule Styne composed I'm the Greatest Star for Barbra Streisand - Emma Smith also fits the description. Nobody has the recipe for Nat 'King' Cole's Frim Fram Sauce although there are a few unauthenticated ones on Google. The body count is said to be rising.
Cole Porter's Make it Another Old Fashioned, Please, originally sung by Ethel Merman in the 1940 Broadway hit Panama Hattie, and later honed to perfection by Julie London, has Emma becoming a paid-up member of that exclusive (Julie) London club. Tonight, from West Side Story, not only has Emma at her best but also reminds us just what a swinging trio Safir, Chaplin and Tomlinson are.
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered is beautiful, beguiling and breathtaking. A classic interpretation of Rodgers and Hart's masterpiece. London Pride was composed by Noel Coward and a beer of the same name is still brewed by Fullers and available via, cask, can or bottle. Although Fuller's London Pride has been known to inspire bar room baritones, Emma goes for Noel Coward's blitz inspired ballad.
What Took You so Long? An original by Emma and not to be confused with a song of the same name by Emma Bunton formerly known as 'Baby' Spice (she's now 49). Smith gets the nod on this one.
I'm in the Middle of a Muddle, composed by Mack Davis, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingstone for Disney's 1950 animated film Cinderella, it didn't make the final cut. However, Emma's version shows the Disney Studio the error of their ways. How does she manage to unearth these gems?
Funny Face segues into My Funny Valentine and back again with the verse in the middle. The overworked Rodgers and Hart classic has long needed a shake-up and Emma does just that.
Polka Dots and Moonbeams brings this delightful album to a close. There's a launch at Ronnie's on August 6 & 7. Four shows over the two nights. Lance
No comments :
Post a Comment