Paradisi Carousel - Clare Teal Album Review

Image:link

Album Review

Yorkshire lass Clare Teal has risen to the top very quickly as a singer. She now hosts her own show on BBC Radio 2. This, her second album is a mix of original co-compositions, and covers by the likes of Motown's Holland -Dozier -Holland and lesser known writers. Teal and Amanda Field's 'Baby I'm Coming Home' is not jazz per say, more of a pop angled ditty, reminiscent of Steely Dan cum Carpenters, with enough appeal for a BBC Radio 2 playlists. From this opening track it's clear to see that her voice, once again, is in fine fettle. It's a lightweight lament about missing her partner whilst being on the road. The song goes, "So tired, still on the road / And there's hours to go and I'm / So tired, missing you more / Than you'll ever know." The pair team up again for the titled track, a swooning 60s retro that has some really stylish nylon guitar picks by Robbie Macintosh. Here, Teal shows her vocal dexterity, control and style that's made her such a success. More balladeering on Missing You, a tale of love's confusion and insecurity. Or, is this a tale of infidelity? "How come you always seem to find a reason / Not to stay at home? / How come you always seem to drift away? / Am I the last to know?" I go for infidelity. Don't you?

Anyway, here treatment of the Four Tops' 'Reach Out (I'll Be There) strips the still popular Motown classic down to its bare essentials. I've never heard a slow ballad version before. It works because of Teal's stunning singing. 'Lightflight' was massive hit for folkie combo Pentangle, popularised via TV series Take Three Girls. Here she keeps its rootsy sensibilities with a 21 century twist. Swing Out Sister's debut single Breakout (1986) virtually keeps its original format. Taking the Bossa Nova route, she does a great sound alike of Astrid Gilberto for swaying What Love Knows.

Teal shows not only has she got a great voice, but is also capable of writing songs that suit her style to perfection, and mainstream appeal.

Elly Roberts