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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tomlinson and Kent's "Lyrics" Worth Listening,
By
This review is from: The Lyric (Audio CD)
Prime Cuts: I Got Lost in His Arms, The Surrey with the Fringe on Top, Jardin D'Hiver
Stacey Kent does not need to raise a ruckus to impress; her warm velvetry girlish vocals need no gimmicks to convey the subtle meaning of each tune. She has a way of unfurling the emotions of each note with her attenuated vocal inflections. However, such a treat was not the intial vision of this project when British husband Jim Tomlinoson, a tenor saxophoist in the eminent tradition of Stan Getz, wanted "The Lyric" to be his solo project. However, slowly from his wife Stacy Kent's nascant involvement, it developed into Kent handling the lion share of the vocals, tackling 11 out of 13 tracks. In hindsight, such a move has been felicitious, as together they have weaved together a masterful tapestry of contemporary jazz; a collection of well chosen standards performed in an intimate and engaging way. Further acknowledgement of the duo's arete simpatico is affirmed when this disc won the prestigious "Album of the Year" award in the 2006 BBC Jazz awards festival. Unlike most standard albums, the songs are impeccably chosen from a panoply of sources, some of which even crossing linguistic boundaries, with others from classical musicals and the great American songbook. Most propitious is Kent's cover of the Parisian chanteuse Keren Ann's "Jardin D'Hiver." Here, Kent sings as if French is her mother tongue. When Kent deals with the ominous oeuvre of the musicals, "Surrey with the Fringe on Top," a beloved song from the musical "Oklahoma," is a glorious choice. Kent wastes no syllable of this extremely lyrically verbose song. Giving each syllable a meditatively new breadth of life, this jazz diva certainly brings out a new texture of appreciation. On Frank Sinatra's "What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life," Kent takes her leisure to entice and seduce assisted by her husband's consenting sensuous saxophone swirls. While on the undulating ode to romantic abandonment, "I Got Lost in His Arms" is the perfect exemplar of how Kent utilizes subtlety and inference to exude the hopelessly romantic tenor of the composition. However, unlike her peer Diana Krall who has given herself to a completely languid late night approach on her latest CD, Kent does pick up her heels for some sassy bossa nova. Her take on South Pacific's "A Cockeyed Optimist" exudes with life and vitality. Though her girlish twirls may come across as weak, Kent ironically captures the naivety and sincerity of Cole Porter's swinging "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." On the couple of tracks without Kent, the quartet of Tomlinson, David Newton (piano), Dave Chamberlain (bass) and Matt Skelton (drums) give a breezy performance on "Manha de Carnival" and a lazy-jazz lounge feel to "Outra Vez." Overall, the spotlight of "The Lyric" is rightly on Kent: the ingenious ways in which she woos with her vocal nuances without given to drama. Yet Kent puts in enough emotions and rumination that she does not come across as blithe or superficial. However, behind the great woman is her man--Tomlinson's spot on backing never for a moment intrude. Rather, creating just the right texture that exemplifies his wife's vocals, this shows what a marriage of like-mindedness can do. In short, when it comes to contemporary jazz, Kent and Tomlison are as deserving as the accolades they have had received.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?",
By
This review is from: Lyric (Audio CD)
"Although I am an instrumentalist, I have always had a strong affinity for song. There is no more meaningful form of self-expression for me than to play a ballad with the poetry of the lyric reverberating through me and guiding me. I hope that my love of the lyric communicates itself sufficiently to justify the choice of album title." ~ Jim Tomlinson ~
"The Lyric" is one of the few but superb albums of Jim Tomlinson, a fine tenor saxophonist whose style of playing is absolutely ear-catching. He shares the spotlight with his wife and musical partner, Stacey Kent, who graciously adds classiness and freshness to the melodies with her ever-sweet and sun-kissed voice, flawless diction and beautiful-as-pink-roses-interpretations. In my book of jazz, they belong to the top list of fine singers and musicians of all-time. Mr. Tomlinson considers this album as "their baby since it is the first album produced under his own label, and the one that they are most proud of as it is the recording that comes closest to their live collaborations." That is especially true -- this album is one of the finest ever recorded, with no frills and embellishments of a full orchestra and yet it is superbly done. It is my current enthrallment -- I've been listening non-stop for days now and it has become one of my top favorites from my collection. The choicest cuts that will leave the listeners breathless for their raving beauties are Lerner and Loewe's "I've Grown Accustomed To His Face," Parish and Carmichael's "Stardust," and to top it all - Alan and Marilyn Bergman's "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?" done in the most dramatic fashion highlighting Tomlinson's sweepingly striking sax solo and Newton's beautifully sounding piano. Kent singing this verse is an exquisite musical moment... "Through all of my life Summer, winter, spring and fall of my life All I ever will recall of my life Is all of my life with you" Lees and Jobim's "Corcovado" (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) is one of the most charming Bossa Nova staples that Tomlimson and his bandmates David Newton (piano), Dave Chamberlain (double bass) and Matt Skelton (drums) deliver with a winning interplay that artfully blends with Kent's unique vocal prowess. Cole Porter's "My Heart Belongs To Daddy" is such a joyous listen that would leave a smile on your face. An added allure is "Jardin D'Hiver," a melodious French song with a cozy Bossa Nova rhythm. Having lived and studied in Paris, Kent shows utmost confidence in her effortless rendition and the result is simply splendid. Luis Bonfa's "Manha de Carnival" (Black Orpheus) is a very popular Brazilian jazz tune. On this attractive track, Tomlinson is on the center stage -- his playing is as enchanting as the ones recorded by jazz greats such as Stan Getz, Wes Montgomery, Cannonball Adderly, Ray Brown and Paul Desmond, to name a few. Tomlinson and Kent truly bring out the best in each other. And like two of the most celebrated pairs in jazz history - Ella and Louis, and Lady Day and Pres, their partnership is defined as a magical collaboration. Need I say more? * * * * * TEN STARS * * * * *
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Playful and relaxed.,
By joemacktheknife (East Hampton, NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Lyric (Audio CD)
Even with hubby in the limelight, Stacy Kent still steals the show.
Saxophone player Jim Tomlinson is Stacey Kent's partner both in a personal and a professional capacity. So, when recording his latest solo album, it was a logical step to call upon his wife's vocal talents as the cutting edge of an intimate small band set. "The Lyric" is a wonderful journey through a selection of classic jazz standards. Stacey Kent and Jim Tomlinson fit together hand in glove and on "My Heart Belongs To Daddy", "If I Were A Bell", "Something Happens To Me" and "Cockeyed Optimist", her sublime vocals and his lush tenor are a delight. Stacey is relaxed, playful and has never sounded better. The stand-out track is the lightly buttered bossa nova of Antonio Jobim's "Corcovado" which sounds as good as the famed Getz/Gilberto version from 1963. Tomlinson also purrs through two instrumentals - Manha De Carnival and Outra Vez - like a well-fed cat. An essential purchase for all Stacey's fans.
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