Close Your Eyes

Stacey Kent | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 31, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Candid Records
• ASIN: B00003004Q
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #109,601 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

JAZZIZ , November 1997

... Her instrument is girlish but strong, plaintive but warm. It's the kind of voice you'd like to get to know better. With a great selection of standards, a tasty quintet of British sidemen, and a voice to stimulate daydreams, Stacey Kent turns in one of the finest vocal debuts in years. She's got that certain intangible that separates Nat "King" Cole from brother Freddy and Frank Sinatra from Frank Jr. That's not to say Kent is in league with the legends but she's got some of the important ingredients: namely, style and swing (not to mention perfect pitch). Listen to her timing on the uptempo numbers such as "I'm Old Fashioned" or "It's Delovely." Check out her unadorned honesty on a ballad ("You Go to My Head"). She's in complete and delightful control and the listener is in for an enchanting spell. -- Jonathan Eig

When a seasoned commentator such as Humphrey Lyttelton describes a singer's voice as "strong and clear", with the "invigorating tang of Vermouth" and talks about the first bars of her opening song "quivering with electricity," it is only sensible to sit up and take notice. Stacey Kent, New York-raised but now resident in the UK, more than justifies such praise. Backed by a supremely sympathetic band, including David Newton on piano and Jim Tomlinson on tenor, she is at her best on the confessional ballad, where her extraordinary fluttering vibrato imbues everything she sings with affecting poignancy. But she is clearly thoroughly at home, too, with the popular songbook, and her debut album demands to be heard by anyone who relishes great songs beautifully sung. CP

Product Description

The Debut Album from the Ex-patriot American Singer (She Lives in England) Harkens Comparisons with the Ella Fitzgerald's Impeccable Style, but Kent is Forging Ground that She Can Call her Own. Her Delivery and Attack of a Note is Spot On, her Performances Are Exciting and Vivacious. An Outstanding Debut from a Singer Whose Talent Promises Many More Volumes to Come.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!! Why haven't I heard of her before ???, July 29, 2001

By 

M. Saunders (Hermitage, TN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Close Your Eyes (Audio CD)

Sometimes you get surprised. A while ago I was in purchasing an addition to the stereo system and the salesman demo'd using a Stacey Kent CD. My jaw dropped. Instantly.

I honestly don't remember which CD, so I gambled and picked up 'Close Your Eyes'. I've heard (and own) Diana Krall and Holly Cole (both great), considered Jane Monheit (jury is still out for me), occasionally delve into the coolness of Patricia Barber, but I gotta tell ya, Stacey doesn't have to take a back seat to any of these. There is this hard-to-define "something" in her voice and approach to the song that makes one stop dead in their tracks and go "whoa". Maybe the other reviewers can identify it. I'm not sure it's something definable in print.

As for the CD, I'll admit to liking the vocalist + quartet/quintent approach used on this album more than the typical singer + trio approach. Vocally, Stacey isn't as 'whispery' a stylist as, say, Diana Krall, but I like them both quite a bit for different reasons. Diana tends to be a bit more intimate and dreamy, Stacey a bit brighter and flirty. Both excellent, but very different sounds.

Staceys' sidemen just swing the house down, especially her pianist David Newton, and although I usually am not a big tenor sax fan, I certainly am on this one, with utterly superb work from Jim Tomlinson (who reminds me strongly of Stan Getz). Add in solid drumming, rhythm guitar and bass playing from cats who can hold their own with most anybody, top it off with a shimmering, gorgeous, uniquely styled & perfectly pitched voice, and you have a winner. After a few listens, I now must say this CD goes in my "stranded on an island" collection without any doubts.

If you're a fan of the aforementioned singers, you seriously need to check this one out. Highly, highly recommended.

(Recording quality is pretty good too, very natural and unforced.)

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply magnificent, March 27, 2000

By 

KMDowney (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Close Your Eyes (Audio CD)

I purchased this CD on a 1998 trip to England, having been enthralled with Ms. Kent's voice since seeing her in "Richard III". This is a wonderful collection of songs by the likes of Cole Porter and Johnny Mercer, alternating between soulful numbers like "More Than You Know" and lighter pieces like "Its Delovely". Ms. Kent handles them all with consummate skill, and is backed by a sharp ensemble including her husband, Jim Tomlinson, on saxophone, and a fine guitarist, Colin Oxley. This is beautiful music.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Close Your Eyes - Recommended CD !, December 3, 1999

By 

Judy Miller (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Close Your Eyes (Audio CD)

I am overjoyed to finally find this CD, and thanks to Amazon for making it available. I first saw Stacey Kent's feature story on CBS This Morning earier this year, and was enraptured by her singing. I am a Diana Krall also fan and I feel Stacey can reach her level of popularty very easily. One this CD, she covers Cole Porter's "It's Delovely" which is the first time a singer has done such a great job to make me finally like this song. Another Cole Porter song "Dream Dancing" is covered and I really enjoy that version also. I don't know if CD's wear out like my old LP collection, but I'm going to have to get a couple copies of this to share with friends for Holiday gifts, and another copy for my commute. I hope she tours the US in 2000, I'll be excited to see her show when it comes to Los Angeles. RECOMMENDED CD !