CD Review by Maggie Woods | Clare Teal: Get Happy

Clare Teal Get Happy [album]

“Is Clare Teal Happy?
Judging from the
laughter-infused vocals
on Clare’s eighth album,
Get Happy, that would be
a resounding YES!”

A BUNDLE OF FUN, Clare Teal reaches into the annals of Jazz to produce her own interpretation of past popular songs mixed with self-penned creations that reflect her love of this music style.

Newly signed to the Universal imprint W14 Music (Alison Moyet, Siouxsie Sioux, The Proclaimers), the new First Lady of jazz brings her magical touch to some of the greatest songs ever written — songs that include the quirky Cheek To Cheek; the great favourite Begin The Beguine; Love For Sale; the popular classic The Very Thought Of You; Time After Time and a joyful Get Happy.

Innovative and unspoiled interpretations of the more modern Love Hurts and Breaking Up Is Hard To Do sit charmingly with Clare's self-penned compositions and additions to the catalogue of future classics.

In January (2008), Clare had this to say: "Making this record has been terrific fun and a fabulous experience. The album is called Get Happy, because as a rule I think we should."

Clare's voice is special and suits the well-chosen tracks on Get Happy. She is a unique singer, songwriter, broadcaster and live performer —
an extraordinary talent and one of Britain's most exciting entertainers.

John Williams, MD of W14 Music and Clare's co-producer of Get Happy commented: "Clare is such a special singer — one of the UK greats — and working with her in the studio producing Get Happy has been an education and joy. The album is a master-class of her song interpret-ation and vocal prowess."

Get Happy was recorded with her five-piece band in just a matter of days and bears testimony to Clare's enjoyment of the recording pro-cess and the way she wholeheartedly embraces the challenges. As you listen to the familiar songs, you are aware of a rare quality that could almost make you believe you are hearing the lyrics for the very first time. Clare demonstrates an understanding of, and a passion for, classic songwriting on the original songs, High Love, Get On It Sam and All For Love, drawing from the likes of Esquivel, Bacharach and the sounds of yesterday to marry them to the lyrics that are inspired by her own life experiences.

Winner of numerous awards — including British Jazz Vocalist of the Year 2005 and 2007 and also BBC Jazz Vocalist of the Year 2006 — Clare is also a seasoned Radio 2 broadcaster. Having previously presented Clare Teal's Jazz Divas and deputised for Sarah Kennedy, Clare is currently presenting both The Big Band Special and Al Bowlly — Britain's First Pop Star, a series profiling the 1930's singer.

• Clare Teal's album release Get Happy is out on 25 February (2008) on W14 Music.

"One of the best vocal talents to emerge from the UK in a long, long while" — Michael Parkinson

"Some singers sing standards, some sing their own material, but very few do both and even fewer do it well. Clare Teal is one of those rarities" — The Observer

"Clare Teal's got Talent and All That Jazz" — MotorBar

Check out www.clareteal.co.uk and www.myspace.com/clareteal.

Get Happy Tracklist: 1 All For Love | 2 Get Happy | 3 Love Hurts |
4 Begin The Beguine | 5 Cheek To Cheek | 6 Get On It Sam | 7 The
Very Thought Of You | 8 Breaking Up Is Hard To Do | 9 Moondance |
10 Love For Sale | 11 High Love | 12 Time After Time | 13 All The
Things you Are.

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