Music Review: Rachel Tucker – …you’re already home

RACHEL TUCKER …YOU’RE ALREADY HOME (Westway Records).

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

Rachel Tucker has become a name synonymous with musical theatre since her first break into the public eye, as a contender for the role of Nancy in the BBC’s I’d Do Anything in 2008. Since then she has played some of the biggest roles in musical theatre, including Elphaba in Wicked both in the West End and on Broadway, as well as an impressive variety of Off-West End roles and even originated the role of Annette/Captain Beverley Bass in the original London cast of Come From Away.

She also has a collection of albums already under her belt, the latest of which is entitled ‘…you’re already home’ which explores, in her own words, “the hard choices we sometimes have to make between family, home and career… reflecting these different elements of our lives”.

With a track list spanning not only musical theatre but also pop, rock and the country-esque Americana genre, this album shows off Tucker’s vocal range that her fans have come to know and love, and also the diversity in the musical styles she enjoys and feels reflects her personal experiences.

Of course, her prowess at the big musical numbers is showcased beautifully with ‘He’s My Boy’ from Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, ‘Everything Changes’ from Waitress and a unique relaxed, jazz lounge-style arrangement of ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly’ from My Fair Lady. But the modern pop songs also get their moment, and none are better than a cover of Billie Eilish’s ‘Happier Than Ever’ which Tucker performs as a duet with Jamie Muscato. Two incredible musical theatre voices partner in this collaboration and both demonstrate their versatility, quality and beautiful blend – a truly delightful combination.

Some slightly lesser-known tracks also feature on this listing, all successful in their aim to showcase Tucker’s skill, and her cover of The Waterboys’ ‘The Whole of the Moon’ is a prime example, adding a rounded, rocky depth to this heartfelt and beautifully diverse collection of music.

While Tucker is undoubtedly most known for her theatre performances on the stages of London and Broadway, ‘…you’re already home’ is far more than ‘just’ a musical theatre album, going deeper in its messaging and sentiment to bring together a musical microcosm of lived experiences belonging to the real person behind those characters.

Sorcha Exworthy