Anthony Strong : And Then We Kiss

As I wrote a few months ago regarding Fiona Ross (see review here), there is a strong tradition in the United Kingdom of pianist-singers who have carried on and expanded upon the legacy of their American predecessors and contemporaries. If we limit ourselves to British male vocalists, we can mention Ian Shaw, Jamie Cullum, and Anthony Strong, who is five years his junior. Like Cullum, Strong is at times a magnificent crooner who is also capable of tackling up-tempo numbers, where it’s clear that, like his elder, one of his influences is none other than Mel Tormé. On this new album, the musician—who has just turned forty—offers no original compositions and instead covers popular standards such as “Love for Sale,” “My Favorite Things,” and “Pennies from Heaven,” interspersing them with lesser-known songs. On all these tracks, Strong imprints a personal vision that allows him to make them his own without owing anything to those who performed them before him. Thus, his version of “It Ain’t Unusual” owes nothing to the hit by his compatriot Tom Jones. While staying true to the tradition of easy-listening jazz without being overly commercial, Strong displays a generous personality both in his warm baritone voice—which works wonders in brief passages of energetic scat—and in his piano playing, which is characterized by great clarity and finesse. The arrangements for small ensemble or string orchestra are always spot-on, and some of them sound majestic, providing a perfect backdrop for the vocals and a few spirited saxophone or guitar solos. On two tracks, Strong also features the female vocals of Pamina Beroff, with whom he performs duets that have a romantic flair reminiscent of sophisticated pop. All in all, this is a CD with undeniable charm that it would be unfair to classify as “commercial,” given how the leader’s sincerity is expressed with such obvious candor and undeniable skill. When approached in this way, tradition is ageless and can appeal to any sensitive listener with an open ear.