STACEY KENT - Raconte-Moi... (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Over a dozen albums and several compilations, American-born British resident Stacey Kent has sung standards with polish and class, but perhaps her fans might not have expected the result on this CD. A program of tunes interpreted entirely in French, Kent here fancies herself as a modern-day Edith Piaf, with a very low-key, late-night, romantic approach. Her thin, wispy voice rides very much under the radar of these selections, with a small instrumental complement including pianist Graham Harvey, guitarist John Parricelli, and in select spots her husband, saxophonist Jim Tomlinson. Most of the tracks are French pop songs, but occasionally Kent sneaks in a ringer like Antonio Carlos Jobim's always delightful "Les Eaux de Mars" (Waters of March), and adds a Brazilian flavor to the title selection or calypso on the most upbeat number, "Mi Amor." Harvey's pristine piano is the telling factor on how this music inspires Kent to dig deep into her soul without pulling in demons or being extroverted. Though there are moments when the band swings, goes into a circular motion, or actually does a jazz standard ("It Might As Well Be Spring"), Kent and her mates stick to ballads and torch songs in the main. This is her second CD for the Blue Note label, more likely to appeal on a international European than stateside U.S. level, but it is heartfelt and purely soulful no matter the lyrics or language. by Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1    Les Eaux De Mars 3:38
Adapted By – Joseph Mustacchi
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
2    Jardin D'Hiver 3:34
Written-By – Benjamin Biolay, Keren Ann Zeidel
3    Raconte-Moi... 3:42
Written-By – Bernie Beaupère, Emilie Satt, Jean-Karl Lucas
4    L'Étang 4:24
Written-By – Paul Misraki
5    La Vénus Du Mélo 3:47
Written-By – Bernie Beaupère, Emilie Satt, Jean-Karl Lucas
6    Au Coin Du Monde 4:14
Written-By – Benjamin Biolay, Keren Ann Zeidel
7    C'est Le Printemps 4:28
Adapted By – Jean Geiringer, Jean Sablon
Written-By – Oscar II Hammerstein / Richard Rodgers
8    Sait-On Jamais ? 4:12
Written-By – Camille D'Avril, Jim Tomlinson
9    Les Vacances Au Bord De La Mer 3:29
Written-By – Michel Jonasz, Pierre Grosz
10    Mi Amor 3:58
Written-By – Claire Denamur
11    Le Mal De Vivre 4:44
Written-By – Monique Andrée Serf
12    Désuets 3:10
Written-By – André Manoukian, Pierre Dominique Burgaud
Credits :
Double Bass – Jeremy Brown
Drums, Percussion – Matt Skelton
Guitar – John Parricelli
Liner Notes – Jake Lamar
Photography By – Nicole Nodland
Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Graham Harvey
Recorded By, Mixed By, Mastered By – Curtis Schwartz
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Kalimba [Sansula] – Jim Tomlinson
Voice, Whistling, Producer, Arranged By – Stacey Kent