Into Gabi Hartmann or Mina Agossi un petit peu? OK. Fair enough. Jody – voilà – you might like. Transport yourself à l’autre côté de la Manche – bugger Bognor as it were – to Paris to hear the vintage singer.
Not really that familiar a name yet to us reliably under informed rosbifs, Jody worked with Alain-Jean Marie on 2023’s Castles in the Sand. Their take on 1930s Gordon & Revel orphan-meets-playboy-in-Shanghai Stowaway song ‘One Never Knows, Does One?’ is delicious. That song appeared in the Shirley Temple, Robert Young and Alice Faye starring flick and was swiftly covered by Billie Holiday accompanied by a band that included Ben Webster and Teddy Wilson. What I like most about Sea of Love is the laconic treatment of the Vangelis & Peter Skellern Blade Runner very Kurt Weill-esque song, ‘One More Kiss, Dear’ sort of the feel of ‘Mack the Knife’ taken around the block for a scenic detour and deftly sublimated. Deep toned warbler Arthur H waddles in amiably.
