Intimacy prevails more than ever on this gently understated addition to Stacey Kent’s discography.
While I really like just about everything here, let’s get the obligatory quibble out of the way – I don’t quite think the version of Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life 1970s classic ‘As’ works as well.
Stacey is not an ideal Stevie Wonder kind of interpreter with the best will in the world although it’s a decent stab in the right direction.
But the 1940s On the Town Leonard Bernstein/Betty Comden/Adolf Green classic ‘Lucky To Be Me’ is certainly however a real achievement.
As is a delicious take on Johnny Mandel & Paul Francis Webster’s ‘The Shadow Of Your Smile’ and the perky take on Serge Gainsbourg’s ‘La Javanaise’ fruitily arranged to factor in flute during the brief introduction set-up.
The American singer is joined, as so often, by her closest musical collaborators: her husband the English producer and multi-reeds player – the Getzian – Jim Tomlinson and American pianist Art Hirahara.
I usually prefer Anglophile American, Kent – who first leapt to wider recognition on the UK scene championed by Humphrey Lyttelton on his BBC Radio 2 jazz show during her initial Candid efflorescence – singing in English or French less so Portuguese.
But even in the latter case ‘Carinhoso’ is fine.
I didn’t know this 1930s song at all before hearing it here.
Thanks for the ongoing sentimental education – our Stace.
The Bruno Martino song ‘E la Chiamono Estate’ [a title that means ‘And they call it summer’] sung in Italian is very beautiful, soft and luminous.
Previous Stacey Kent albums at a glance
- Summer Me, Winter Me (2023) – A studio album devoted to the songs of composer Michel Legrand, recorded with orchestral arrangements.
- Songs from Other Places (2020) – A compilation of previously unreleased recordings and collaborations drawn from earlier sessions.
- I Know I Dream: The Orchestral Sessions (2017) – Kent revisits songs from across her catalogue backed by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.
- Tenderly (2015) – A duet album with Brazilian pianist Roberto Menescal featuring bossa nova classics and standards.
- The Changing Lights (2013) – A Brazilian-influenced jazz album including original songs written with Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro.
- Raconte-moi… (2010) – A French-language album of originals and adaptations with lyrics by Kazuo Ishiguro.
- Breakfast on the Morning Tram (2007) – Kent’s first album composed largely of original songs written with Kazuo Ishiguro and Jim Tomlinson.
- The Lyric (2005) – A Grammy-nominated recording emphasising lyrical interpretations of classic jazz standards.
- In Love Again: The Music of Richard Rodgers (2003) – A tribute album dedicated to songs by Broadway composer Richard Rodgers.
- Dreamsville (2001) – Kent’s third studio album presenting relaxed interpretations of jazz standards.
- Let Yourself Go (2000) – A standards-focused recording highlighting Kent’s understated swing style.
- Close Your Eyes (1997) – Kent’s debut album introducing her interpretations of Great American Songbook material.
I think A Time for Love is the 61-year-old’s best album since The Changing Lights. It goes without saying that’s a subjective view and worth bearing in mind that the bar is set high where “the duchess” is concerned. Her sound already influences other singers, notably – clearly – the wonderful Naama.
Dates coming up include lots in France including Lyon tonight and back in London a Cadogan Hall, near Sloane Square 2-nighter in July,
More From Marlbank
A 2018 live review of Stacey Kent at Ronnie Scott’s.
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