Customer Reviews

The Lyric

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
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One of my favourite albums ever. Fantastic. I have bought it for many friends, most of them completely new to Stacey Kent/Jim Tomlinson, and it has been universally loved.

"The Lyric," newest release of British tenor saxophone man Jim Tomlinson, advertises that it "features" his wife, Anglo-American jazz chanteuse Stacey Kent. However, she's surely more a co-star: we hear her lovely voice on all but two of the album's tracks.

Tomlinson has credited Stan Getz as a formative musical influence, and the album, although it draws heavily from the Great American songbook, and Broadway, to some degree also follows Getz down South America way. Furthermore, it's a reminder of the musical partnership of Getz and Astrud Gilberto -- the tenor sax is close to the human voice in its range; and the Tomlinson/Kent collaborations are almost mystically, mutually interwoven.

The album, which has won "Best Vocal Album" at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Awards, and 2006 "Album of the Year" at the prestigious British Broadcasting Company's Jazz Awards, is Tomlinson's first release on his own label, Token. It takes a fresh approach to its standards, even such familiar ones as Rogers and Hammerstein's "Surrey With The Fringe on Top," and Lerner and Loewe's "I've Grown Accustomed to His Face." We also get a selection of French tunes, delivered by Kent as though she'd been born in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Cole Porter's knowing "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," gets a clean rendition, no winks or nods. Kent has a modern, conversational, intimately whispering style well-suited to this repertory, and Tomlinson's sax always has a story to tell. The band consists of David Newton on piano, Dave Chamberlain on double bass, and Matt Skelton on drums.

I've been lucky enough to catch Kent and Tomlinson at New York's famous Algonquin Hotel. There's no question, they're working in the here and now. Still their collaborative style of music making is reminiscent of the great Lester Young and Billie Holiday, or even, to cite a contemporary, perhaps better known to Americans duo, John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey. They make beautiful music together.

Brilliant CD, especially good for laid back evening listening. Mellow and sweet, very relaxing. Its great that theres a younger generation of singers who are carrying on the tradition of good quality music. Jim Tomlinson's saxophone complements his wife's singing beautifully, and his solos are a joy to listen to in their own right.

A friend introduced me to Stacey Kent and her other half, Jim Tomlinson, saying 'try it',try it! I bet you'll like it!' I did, and was much taken with their artistry. So much so, I now have nearly all their albums. These two performers are class acts creating cool jazz.

Brilliant record from beginning to end.
The recording quality is second to none.
I have several of Stacey's recordings, but this is the best. You feel to be in the studio with them as they were playing.
Now looking to buy recordings of Jim Tomllinson, a superb musician

I hadn't heard of either beforehand and so played the samples. I liked the songs and loved the voice. My wife and I have really enjoyed the album adn I would thoroughly recommend.

Stacey Kent, refreshing find, although pieces are mainly covers, they are professionally done and what a sweet clear voice.
Would definitely recommend.

Stacey Kent has one of the sweetest, clearest and emotive voices you'll ever hear. Backed by Tomlinson's lovely sax work, this is a really good album.

This is the first Stacey Kent/Jim Tomlinson CD I've bought and am not disappointed - will certainly be buying more