Stacey Kent: Let Yourself Go-Celebrating Fred Astaire

Britain-based vocalist Stacey Kent puts her personal stamp on some great old songs associated with Fred Astaire. Joining her is a small, swinging combo: Kent’s husband Jim Tomlinson on saxophones and clarinet, Colin Oxley on guitar, David Newton on piano, Simon Thorpe on bass, and Steve Brown on drums. Though all the tracks are standards, there are surprises: "They Can’t Take That Away from Me" done as a ballad, "S’Wonderful" as a bossa nova with intriguing reharmonizations. Tomlinson’s tenor breaks on the latter and on the ballad "He Loves and She Loves" are exquisite. Kent’s delivery is charming and infectious, especially on peppy numbers like "I Won’t Dance," "I’m Putting All My Eggs In One Basket," and "Shall We Dance?" She pours her heart out on two devastatingly sad numbers, "By Myself" and "I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plan," the latter a duet with Oxley on guitar.