Music has and always will be a big part of my life. I do need to clarify that slightly before continuing otherwise you’ll be under the impression that I’ve penned mighty compositions for renowned philharmonics. This is, sadly, not the case for I am unable to strum, bang, fiddle, tap, tinkle, blow, whallop or wobble any instrument at all. Unfortunately, my musical talent extends to a half decent singing voice used mostly to shower to and even this has not seen its prime since taking my junior schools’ two night performance of Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat to new levels with my starring role; seven solos and a box of Maltesers from my music teacher cemented my place in aural history.
My distinct lack of talent in this area has certainly not diminished my love and respect for anyone who can play anything at all. I have a pretty eclectic taste when it comes to music and with any luck, in time, I’ll get to share some of my favourites with you over the course of this blog for however long that course may run.
I mention this for my second entry here simply because my most recent musical experience happened only last Thursday 16th April in the simple, yet beautiful, surrounds of the Trinity Theatre in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Stacey Kent and her musicians were in town to play a selection of songs from her current album and a smattering of tracks from days gone by. This was my first time hearing her live and if you’re unaccustomed to her soft, unhurried tones you’d do well to investigate her latest longplayer, Breakfast on the Morning Tram. The album is layered with a selection of tracks that are brimming with poetry and seductive narative. While her voice and the musical backing she receives on CD is beautiful to envelop yourself in whilst sitting in a low-lit front room with a large glass of deep red wine, you really only get to appreciate how creamily sensuous her tones are when allowing her voice to drift acoustically around a large hall.
I was astounded at how good she, her husband and composer Jim Tomlinson and the bassist, pianist and drummer combined on a night, she divulged, they were playing together for the first time. During the show, which was split across two sessions and an obligatory encore, every song seemed to effortlessly release from her lips and melt into my ears like warm caramel.
Highlights for me were Breakfast on the Morning Tram, I Wish I Could Go Travelling Again, La Saison des Pluies and The Ice Hotel. Particularly the few songs that she sang in French were just wonderfully rendered and both my partner and I enjoyed the night immensely.
Please do search out her recordings and, especially, check her out live if you can.