Buy Re-introducing The Standards here (CD Baby)
Read my review of Caleb's Christmas album here (Myfestivepop)
I only recently discovered the music of the talented Caleb Collins, via his enchanting Christmas album (see review link above). I was instantly struck not only by his engaging, expressive vocals but by his ability to infuse genres as diverse as swing, gospel, pop and jazz into his songs. This eclectic mix makes for vibrant productions of songs we may well know and love, giving the listener new insight into words and stories they were sure they already knew every facet of. I'm thrilled, therefore, that he's continued this into his latest album, Re-introducing The Standards. For me, music that evokes emotion, reminds us of times gone by or provides the soundtrack to the experiences we are currently living are the tracks that endure throughout our lives. The standards that Caleb has chosen for this project embody all these elements - and are called classics for a reason. They danced by the trends of their time and, as the musical fads faded, their evergreen melodies and timeless lyrics meant they live on for generations to discover and treasure. Caleb is the most able and loving curator of these songs, remaining humble in their majesty but able to breathe new life with his exquisite musical arrangements and own personality. Words can't do justice to how glorious this album is, but I've tried to give you a few highlights in the track by track run through below...
- The Way You Look Tonight ~ The album starts with one of the most romantic, musical declarations in history. It's unfettered in it's appreciation and love of whoever the singer is gazing at. It's ingrained in our psyche, yet Mr Collins ably makes the song his own thanks to his swooning crooner tones. There's a delicate hopelessness to his voice that indicates how hard he fell as soon as his eyes fell upon the object of his affection. His vocals dance elegantly around the more playful strings that seemingly represent the coquettish nature of his vision of beauty. Wonderfully put together, exquisitely performed.
- Paper Moon ~ Gloriously energetic and vibrant piano melody and chords are equal duet partners with Caleb's yearning vocal that bring this standard to life all over again. Alongside a percolating percussion section, Caleb conjures up images of a swinging rat-pack era raconteur whose seductive charms would be very hard to resist indeed. I love it when music makes images dance in your mind - Caleb is a master magician of this throughout this album. Paper Moon is one spell that enchants from start to finish.
- Our Love Is Here To Stay ~ Alicia Olatuja joins Caleb for a dignified love story that is the perfect soundtrack for first dance wedding season. Heck, it's the perfect dance for any lovers in love and both singers simply shimmy with the sophistication and earnestness that the lyrics demand. I love that their voices are imbued with a wisdom and understanding that doesn't necessarily come with age, but that arrives when you accept love into your life and realise you are worthy of being loved. So sublime is this that it is not just a celebration of love, it's also a celebration of good music, fueled by two heavenly voices.
- Autumn Leaves ~ as so often comes as the endorphin rush of summer comes to an end, autumn brings melancholy. Caleb's duet with Pooquette (on that elegiac violin) is a study in how to infuse tangible emotion and the singer's own experience into every nuanced note that you hear. The solemnity of the violin adds gravitas to the narrative, while, once again, the piano accentuates every achingly fragile sentiment with a knowing understanding. Heartbreaking yet strangely cathartic at the same time.
- The Nearness Of You ~ You can't keep a good man down and after the pondering reflection of the previous number, Caleb is back to celebrating finding love. He exudes the tingling excitement that you feel when someone new comes into your life, when every scent, touch and glance is filled with mystery and meaning. The fact that he can make all these songs so vivid and contemporary is further proof that he is the perfect candidate to re-introduce these classic tunes.
- It Had To Be You ~ Perhaps the most musical theatre of all the tracks on here (and as a huge fan of that genre, this is a gigantic compliment). The listener can envisage Caleb gliding around the stage, bow tie loosened, collar open, as he serenades why he has fallen in love with the enigmatic but humanly flawed leading lady. His vocal performance is as nimble as the instrumental that accompanies him, each note sprightly and light as if to represent sunlight sparkling off the still waters on a hot summer day (and just as intoxicating). Utterly delicious.
- Every Time We Say Goodbye ~ If you don't believe that these enduring songs influence modern music, you are simply not paying attention. Take a listen to any track on the new Adele album and you'll see how this song has shaped her melodies and lyrics today. Even My Shot from the unstoppable Hamilton musical replicates the honesty and raw truth of these lyrics when Alexander sings "I imagine death so much it feels like a memory". Caleb may eschew the trends of the charts in his pursuit of these songs, yet in the timeless there is timeliness and his rendition of this everlasting ode feels as fresh and poignant as it did 50 years ago.
- Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain ~ Sometimes, when you are down, the only way to get through the pain is to remain upbeat about it. This style of music has reinvented itself over and over again (think Abba, Gloria Gaynor, Wilson Phillips, et al) but this Fred Rose composition was definitely a blueprint for all that followed. Caleb has intertwined the country music influences expertly with the jazzy big band vibe he's going for and it is definitely a musical elixir that you drink in from the moment you first hear those ebullient fiddles.
- Please Don't Talk About Me ~ Break ups are hard. This is a well known fact of life - if, however, they were all as delightfully intriguing and mellifluously melodic as Caleb's voice on this track, I suspect they wouldn't cause nearly as much heartache. He really is the cure for what ails you and his interpretation of the tart lyrics and final denouement of a love gone wrong work so well because there is no malice or bitterness in his voice. Just matter of fact and a chuck-on-the-chin style best wishes. Dreamy sigh. He could break up with me any day :)
- What A Wonderful World ~ You cannot plan for what songs you need in life, for when the unimaginable happens there is no preparation or forewarning that can help you. When Caleb recorded the final two tracks on this album, he could not have known these were exactly the two tracks I would need to find comfort and hope after the horrific Orlando shootings at an LGBT club this very weekend. That people from all over the globe have come together to express solidarity, remorse and optimism for a better tomorrow reminds me that it is actually still a wonderful world. Nothing will diminish the tragedy but Caleb's flawless rendition of a song about finding beauty in the ugly, of seeking miracles in despair is so resonant and heartfelt that it bought a tear to my eye. It's sad that I'll probably need this song again, but art has always sought to mirror human emotion and it's a comfort to know Caleb's version of this poetic gem does and will continue to do just that.
- L.O.V.E. ~ Similarly, though more upbeat, the final song reminds us that love is indeed a wonderful thing and should be cherished. My piano teacher used to tell me that he wanted to hear the emotions coming through my fingers and hitting every key on the keyboard - if only I'd had a time machine to go and listen to the piano in this song as it explains it better than he ever did :) All in all, an absolutely splendid album that will be just as warm and giving in fifty years as it is today. Mr Collins, I applaud you.
25 ~ Gwen Stefani, Used 2 Love U
24 ~ Roxette, It Just Happens
23 ~ The Feeling, Wicked Heart
22 ~ MKTO, Hands Off My Heart
21 ~ DNCE, Cake By The Ocean
20 ~ Eric Saade, Wide Awake
19 ~ DNCE, Toothbrush
18 ~ MKTO, Superstitious
17 ~ Gwen Stefani, Misery
16 ~ Auryn ft Anastacia, Who's Loving You?
15 ~ Fleur East, Breakfast
14 ~ Pet Shop Boys, Twenty Something
13 ~ MAX, Lights Down Low
12 ~ The Summer Set, Wasted
11 ~ Sergey Lazarev, You're The Only One
10 ~ Harriet, Broken For You
09 ~ Take That, Cry
08 ~ Gravitonas, For The First Time
07 ~ Delta Goodrem, Dear Life
06 ~ Little Mix, Hair
05 ~ Dream Beats ft Christie, Wasn't My Fault
04 ~ Mans Zelmerlow, Fire To The Rain
03 ~ Justin Timberlake, Can't Stop The Feeling
02 ~ Louisa Johnson, Tears
01 ~ Bright Light Bright Light ft Elton John, All In The Name (3 weeks)
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