There is a real spark about Yeongene’s debut album, particularly for an album whose first half is exclusively covers. While the Bacharach and David numbers here are all very faithful adaptations, the artist has put plenty of her own zest and personality into them. Rather than being some slavish copying exercise, everything here is new and fresh. “Sweet but not twee” seems to have been the key phrase and it has paid off handsomely.
The arrangements are beautifully tight, cradling and nurturing the voice but never overpower it. Former Vaselines man Eugene Kelly and Teenage Fanclub frontman Norman Blake, popping up at various points. Each man earns his spurs with superb vocals and fretwork.
This may not be the kind of record you are used to listening to but it is the kind of record you should buy anyway, just to bring some joy, sunshine and tunefulness back into your life.
- Grey Daze - 13 August 2020
- CPR - 5 August 2020
- Marvin Wilson - 23 July 2020