Search - Stacey Kent :: Love Is...The Tender Trap

An affectionate voice.

E. Laway | Temecula, California United States | 04/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stacey Kent's voice is unique and distinguishable amongst her contemporaries because it is thin but strong, sexy but sincere and she makes you notice and remember it. "Love is a Tender Trap" illustrates all these wonderful traits. The first six tracts are justly sung with the complimentary backing from tenor saxophonist Jim Tomlinson and company to put you in the mood. The band knows exactly when to add a little bit of piano, a mute scratching of the drums and a bellow of the bass. You can hear this in "I Didn't Know About You." There are also some swing numbers like "Comes Love" and the title track. Either way, Kent's phrasing and interpretation is special and memorable. She is Eartha Kitt and then some."

"Love Is . . . The Tender Trap"

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 04/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Stacey has the soul of Billie Holiday and the fine rhythm phrasing of Ella Fitzgerald. And she sings the words like Nat Cole -- straightforward, clean and clear. I love the way she will sing a line naturally, not waiting to catch up with the notes, almost conversationally. Then when she does get on the notes, the beat is powerful. Nobody, today or yesterday, ever sang a rhythm song any better than Stacey does on `Comes Love.' Marvellous beat and phrasing." ~ Jay Livingston, Oscar Winning Songwriter ~



Recorded in 1998, Stacey Kent's "Love Is ... The Tender Trap" is one of my top favorites among her recordings from my collection. The well-chosen repertoire includes the very best from the Great American Songbook written by the most brilliant songwriters and composers of all-time - the likes of George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and Johnny Mercer, among others.



With the support of Kent's fabulous and very creative band members such as Jim Tomlinson (tenor sax), David Newton (piano), Colin Oxley (guitar), Dave Green (bass) and Jeff Hamilton (drums), they all contributed their very best talents to record another stunning album to add to Kent's discography.



I totally agree with Jay Livingston about "Comes Love" -- to me, it is a masterpiece that she made her own with her retire-the-trophy interpretation that is so full of vibrancy. She duplicated another work of art where she is at her zestiest-ever singin' and groovin' to the beat of "In The Still of the Night." Then she sweetly slows it down with "Fools Rush In" done in the most exquisite setting highlighting the beautiful sax solo of her husband/musical partner, Jim Tomlinson.



While she is at her swingiest state of mind in the opener - a Sinatra signature song, "The Tender Trap," she becomes emotionally-charged as she sings Mann/Hillard's "In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning" delivering the lyric as gently as possible.



"When the sun is high in the afternoon sky

You can always find something to do

But from dusk till dawn as the clock ticks on

Something happens to you

In the wee small hours of the morning

When the whole wide world is fast asleep..."



Her takes on Ellington/Russell's "I Didn't Know About You" and Berlin's "They Say It's Wonderful" are simply oozing with charms that a single listen isn't enough - it takes repeated listenings in a row before savoring the next track. James F. Hanley's "Zing! Went The Strings of My Heart" is such a delight to listen to especially these verses ... it's like having my favorite Ben & Jerry's Strawberries and Cream.



"Dear when you smiled at me, I heard a melody

It haunted me from the start

Something inside of me started a symphony

Zing! Went the strings of my heart

'Twas like a breath of spring, I heard a robin sing

About a nest set apart

All nature seemed to be in perfect harmony

Zing! Went the strings of my heart"



Brooks Bowman's "East of the Sun (And West of the Moon") is treated to a lovely Bossa Nova beat yet does not deviate from its captivating melody, thus, making it as one of the best tracks not only in this collection, but from among all of her recordings.



In sum, let Stacey Kent and her band capture your ears in a tender trap. Listen now and enjoy.



"And then you wonder how it all came about

It's too late now, there's no gettin' out

You fell in love, and love is ... the tender trap""

Great Voice

Kenneth L. Smith | Huntington Beach, CA USA | 02/27/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I think Stacy has a wonderful voice. Glad I purchased this CD."