Search - Jim Tomlinson, Stacey Kent :: The Lyric

"What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?"

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 04/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Although I am an instrumentalist, I have always had a strong affinity for song. There is no more meaningful form of self-expression for me than to play a ballad with the poetry of the lyric reverberating through me and guiding me. I hope that my love of the lyric communicates itself sufficiently to justify the choice of album title." ~ Jim Tomlinson ~



"The Lyric" is one of the few but superb albums of Jim Tomlinson, a fine tenor saxophonist whose style of playing is absolutely ear-catching. He shares the spotlight with his wife and musical partner, Stacey Kent, who graciously adds classiness and freshness to the melodies with her ever-sweet and sun-kissed voice, flawless diction and beautiful-as-pink-roses-interpretations. In my book of jazz, they belong to the top list of fine singers and musicians of all-time.



Mr. Tomlinson considers this album as "their baby since it is the first album produced under his own label, and the one that they are most proud of as it is the recording that comes closest to their live collaborations." That is especially true -- this album is one of the finest ever recorded, with no frills and embellishments of a full orchestra and yet it is superbly done. It is my current enthrallment -- I've been listening non-stop for days now and it has become one of my top favorites from my collection.



The choicest cuts that will leave the listeners breathless for their raving beauties are Lerner and Loewe's "I've Grown Accustomed To His Face," Parish and Carmichael's "Stardust," and to top it all - Alan and Marilyn Bergman's "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?" done in the most dramatic fashion highlighting Tomlinson's sweepingly striking sax solo and Newton's beautifully sounding piano. Kent singing this verse is an exquisite musical moment...



"Through all of my life

Summer, winter, spring and fall of my life

All I ever will recall of my life

Is all of my life with you"



Lees and Jobim's "Corcovado" (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars) is one of the most charming Bossa Nova staples that Tomlimson and his bandmates David Newton (piano), Dave Chamberlain (double bass) and Matt Skelton (drums) deliver with a winning interplay that artfully blends with Kent's unique vocal prowess.



Cole Porter's "My Heart Belongs To Daddy" is such a joyous listen that would leave a smile on your face. An added allure is "Jardin D'Hiver," a melodious French song with a cozy Bossa Nova rhythm. Having lived and studied in Paris, Kent shows utmost confidence in her effortless rendition and the result is simply splendid.



Luis Bonfa's "Manha de Carnival" (Black Orpheus) is a very popular Brazilian jazz tune. On this attractive track, Tomlinson is on the center stage -- his playing is as enchanting as the ones recorded by jazz greats such as Stan Getz, Wes Montgomery, Cannonball Adderly, Ray Brown and Paul Desmond, to name a few.



Tomlinson and Kent truly bring out the best in each other. And like two of the most celebrated pairs in jazz history - Ella and Louis, and Lady Day and Pres, their partnership is defined as a magical collaboration.



Need I say more?



* * * * * TEN STARS * * * * *"

They Make Beautiful Music Together

Stephanie DePue | Carolina Beach, NC USA | 12/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""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."