The album is a good introduction to the couple's work.
apricots & jazz | 06/19/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
""A Fine Romance" is the second album released by Candid Records in their "Vignette" series, featuring the duo singer Stacey Kent and saxophonist Jim Tomlinson, currently wife and husband in real life.
The album includes a select choice of love tracks from their catalogue with Candid Records from 1997 to 2007, before she joined the seminal jazz label Blue Note.
If you are expecting something new or un-released, this is not the album for you.
The majority of their biggest chart hits from those releases are contained here.
Ms. Kent delivers the words beautifully - she genuinely invests each line with feeling.
All of the songs are delivered with Kent's pleasant nasal twang which helps her create the impression that the lyrics are part of an intimate one on one conversation with each listener.
And with a quiet click of Jim Tomlinson's fingers we are off!
Tomlinson's playing exudes a quiet, calm virtuosity that complements nicely Ms Kent's clear yet soulful voice.
Her phrasing is beautiful, at times conversational and always considered, bringing new life to jazz standards.
Jim Tomlinson's romantic tenor is featured exquisitely on some of the tracks: he brings out his clarinet, using the middle register creating a melancholy mood and showing the easy fluidity and warmth of his delivery.
The album is a decent introduction to the couple's work, in addition to being thematically functional.
Buy it for next year's Valentine day.
Breakfast on the Morning Tram
The Lyric featuring Stacey Kent
Raconte-Moi
"
Stacey and Jim: They Make Beautiful Music Together
Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 07/06/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
""So what is it that makes Stacey and Jim's music so special? Well, first of all Stacey Kent has an innate understanding of how to capture the essence of a song. The award winning vocalist has become a definitive voice in the music world. Stacey and Jim's union, both musically and romantically, is the stuff of dreams and their achievements together just get more and more impressive. Their talents have won countless awards and poll victories worldwide over the years. Candid is happy to salute these achievements with this special Vignette which showcases not only the charismatic voice of Stacey, but also the impressive talents of Jim Tomlinson--saxophonist, composer and arranger par excellence." ~ Alan Bates ~
Released on June 15, 2010, this Special Edition compilation CD entitled "A Fine Romance" is Candid Records' 50th Anniversary offering to the fans of Stacey Kent and Jim Tomlinson. Its excellent material is taken from the first five albums that they recorded with the record production company. It represents some of the finest standards from the Great American Songbook and a few Brazilian staples that the pair rendered immaculately with the support of a wonderful band that includes guitarist Colin Oxley, drummers Jeff Hamilton and Steve Brown, pianists David Newton and John Pearce, bassists Simon Thorpe, Dave Green and Andrew de Jong Cleyndert, trumpeter Guy Barker and percussionist/drummer Chris Wells.
Following are some descriptions of Jim Tomlinson's style of playing and Stacey Kent's vocal artistry upon hearing them for the first time as mentioned by Alan Bates on his Liner Notes.
"Lester Young on valium. He is a tenor saxophonist of rare originality whose talent for controlled understatement is balanced by a searingly emotive sound, softly articulated in a way reminiscent of Stan Getz." ~ Humphrey Lyttelton (Humprey Lyttelton Band) ~
"Jim has a round, virtually edgeless tone with the hint of a whispery, feathery aura around it. He draws on a vein of cool romanticism, so unfashionable in recent times." ~ Dave Gelly (Jazz Writer/Critic) ~
"A revelation--there is nobody singing today who can be compared with her. She has the style of the great." ~ Jay Livingston (Three times Oscar winning songwriter) ~
"The new singers are taught rather than instinctive. Instinctive is the word. Louis was instinctive. Ella was instinctive. Sinatra was instinctive and Teagarden was instinctive. You want instinctive today? - Stacey Kent. She has marked out her own corner and there is nobody within miles of it. Her voice is instantly recognizable. It's in the subtle variations of timing and the natural essence of swing that she establishes herself as one of the most tasteful and intelligent singers of the day." ~ Steve Voce, Jazz Writer/Critic ~
How can you not agree with the above well-said statements? They have substantiated my own impressions on Jim Tomlinson's outstanding technique in playing and Stacey Kent's vocal prowess. This collection is only one of the many testaments of their respective talents.
The best thing about this compilation CD is that it stays interesting from the initial note of "Fools Rush In" to the final note of "More Than You Know." There is no track to skip. Each track is a treat to the ears especially the superb renditions of "A Fine Romance," "I Won't Dance" and "So Nice." Likewise, the magnetic Brazilian rhythm of "Dreamer" will delight the listeners. There's no denying that Tomlinson and Kent's partnership has produced an impressive body of work that is meant to be enjoyed forever. Their recordings are marked by timeless elegance that is absolutely appealing to music lovers.
Although I have heard and enjoyed the album's selections from the various CDs in my collection, it is still a very welcome addition and one of my very favorite compilation CDs. I hope it is one of yours, too!"
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1