Claire Martin and Richard Rodney Bennett – When Lights Are Low (2005)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 52:10 minutes | Scans included | 2,58 GB
or FLAC 2.0 Stereo (converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Full Scans included | 921 MB
Features 2.0 Stereo & 5.1 multichannel Surround sound | Linn Records # AKD 260
Following their two previous duo albums, ‘When Lights Are Low’ and ‘Witchcraft’, ‘Say It Isn’t So’ presents a final third chapter in the remarkable musical partnership of Claire Martin and the late Richard Rodney Bennett.
Read more
Claire Martin and Richard Rodney Bennett – Say It Isn’t So (2013)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 36:20 minutes | 732 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Linn Records
“Say It Isn’t So” is a joyful celebration; both of the impeccably crafted songs of Irving Berlin and of the unique partnership between two seasoned performers at the top of their game: Claire Martin and the late Richard Rodney Bennett.
Lifelong friends on and off stage, Martin and Bennett recorded three studio albums and enjoyed acclaimed concert performances in a collaboration that flourished over two decades. Recorded in New York, ‘Say It Isn’t So’ is their last recording together and one of which Claire is immensely proud. Bennett’s skilful arrangements highlight why Berlin was widely considered one of the greatest songwriters of all time and brilliantly showcase Claire’s assured and expressive voice.
Read more
Claire Martin & Richard Rodney Bennett – Witchcraft (2011)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 42:55 minutes | Front/Rear Covers | 2,41 GB
or DSD64 2.0 Stereo (from SACD-ISO to Tracks.dsf) > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | Front/Rear Covers | 1,69 GB
or FLAC Stereo (carefully converted & encoded to tracks) 24bit/96 kHz | Front/Rear Covers | 884 MB
Features Stereo and Multichannel Surround Sound | Linn Records # AKD 359
Since their first meeting in Glasgow in the early 1990s, singer Claire Martin and composer/pianist Richard Rodney Bennett have been what Martin calls ‘firm friends’, their relationship cemented by a common interest in the subtleties of songwriting and jazz singing. Witchcraft is the result of their dynamic collaboration. On this album, they perform as a (delightfully informal but consistently musicianly) duo, her intimate, deceptively unfussy vocal style perfectly complemented by his flawlessly eloquent piano. Their material is all mined from the Cy Coleman songbook.
Together, this collection weaves together the opposing talents of the sultry jazz sensation Claire Martin and the polished, savvy keyboard skills and compositional insight of Richard Rodney Bennett. Martin’s strength as one of the best interpreters of the Great American Songbook shines through in this recording. The smoky elegance of her vocal sculpts itself around the smooth flowing textures of the piano accompaniment and the occasional vocal repartee of Bennett. The result of this established partnership is mesmerising music that takes you back to a wonderful and simpler time of yesteryear.
Read more