ALWAYS LIKE NEW – Jennifer Nettles (Concord Records – 7223572)
Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Jennifer Nettles is a multi Grammy Award-winning country singer – so what is she doing releasing an album of show music? Well, I’ll tell you: she is bringing new life to these chosen tracks and has accomplished that in such a thrilling way. She has been helped through this by arranger Alex Lacamoire (Hamilton), who should be given special mention for giving new meaning to many of these songs – it is beautiful to listen to.
Many musical theatre fans will be appalled at the thought of an ‘outsider’ covering their sacred music. I know how they feel – I was the same with Kiri Te Kanawa, Bryn Terfel, Lesley Garrett to name but a few. However, this is different. Nettles is not singing these songs as written for the shows in which they appear. A lot of thought has gone into these interpretations and you look on the tracks in a new light.
I defy anyone listening to ‘There’s a Sucker Born Ev’ry Minute’ not to at least be tapping their feet, if not wanting to get up and do a barn dance – it is exhilarating. ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’’ is given a gospel feel, complete with choir, and suddenly we have a new meaning to a lovely but hackneyed old war horse.
The jazzy, up-tempo version of ‘Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat’ really grabs you by the throat and won’t let go until the final chord. ‘You Will Be Found’ from Dear Evan Hansen and ‘Almost Like Being in Love’ from Brigadoon are quite heart-wrenching and beautifully arranged. Other tracks on the album are: ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly’, ‘Wait For It’, ‘It All Fades Away’, ‘Anyone Can Whistle’ and ‘Tomorrow’.
This is a stunning album, with outstanding arrangements and the fantastic Nettles bringing her own signature sound to each and every one of the tracks. If I could, I’d give it 10 stars – but I’m only allowed 5!
Nick Wakeham
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