Search - Claire Martin :: Take My Heart

Take a chance on this one

Steve Brown (stephen_j_brown@hotmai | Wiltshire, United Kingdom | 07/21/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Claire Martin, probably the best Jazz singer working in the in UK today, has always stood just outside the mainstream. Her superb vocal talents (probably best exemplified on her live album Offbeat) have always impressed; her choice of material has always been spot on. Slightly quirky, maybe, but right there where you want it nevertheless. With this album she is pushing the boundaries just a little further. I saw her perform a set based on this CD at Ronnie Scott's club and she was, of course, excellent. I couldn't help feeling, however, that just a couple of more obviously 'jazz' tracks would have set the scene and eased the audience into this material a little more gently. And it's the same with the CD. If you're looking for straight-ahead jazz such as you found on Offbeat, or Devil May Care and aren't prepared to humour Ms Martin for a few hours then I would advise you not to bother. If, on the other hand, you're up for a bit of something different then go on! Take a chance! You won't be disappointed. The singing is there; the talent is there; the music is there. All the lady needs is an audience."

Mellow music at its finest

Peter Durward Harris | Leicester England | 06/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Claire's previous albums had all been pure jazz, but on this album she experimented with pop/rock influences. This upset some of her fans but I found this album to be most enjoyable. Other fans seem disappointed at the lack of up-tempo songs here, but that, too, is fine by me.The songs demonstrate Claire's eclectic taste in music. Pop and rock are represented by Riverman (Nick Drake), Take my heart (Engelbert Humperdinck), Queen bee (Rupert Holmes), Brilliant trees (David Sylvian), Jonah (Paul Simon), Help (Beatles) and Baby plays around (Elvis Costello). Yet all these songs are well chosen and suit Claire ideally. She co-wrote two of the songs (Inner city girl, Pleading guilty) while she also does a wonderful version of Only the lonely ? the song written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy van Heusen, not the more famous pop song made famous by Roy Orbison.Of the songs here, perhaps the most surprising is Help. This is slowed right dow, done as plaintive ballad. Noel Gallagher (of Oasis) helped with the arrangement and also played acoustic guitar. Perhaps more than any other track here, this demonstrates why people have such contrasting feelings about this album. Some can't stand this re-interpretation but I love it.While this is not Claire's strongest album (that accolade goes to her 2002 album, Too darn hot), this is a lovely, mellow album that sets its own mood."

SOULFUL LATE NITE SMOKEY JAZZ

Mr. Anthony W. Harden | JOONDANNA, PERTH Australia | 07/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This one whilst different from her straight ahead jazz albums is awsome. Great sultry smokey late nite jazz vocals wrapped around good arrangements make this one a must. Like a fine wine this one grows on you with each listen.Well done Claire a great release."