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Claire Martin, OBE

He Never Mentioned Love

...remembering the legendary Shirley Horn
Claire Martin - He Never Mentioned Love

Personnel

Claire Martin (vocals), Gareth Williams (piano), Clark Tracey (drums), Laurence Cottle (bass), Jim Mullen (guitar), Gerard Presencer (trumpet)

He Never Mentioned Love

Year: 2007
Label: Linn Records

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  • Album Info
  • Reviews

This stylish tribute to the late and legendary American songstress Shirley Horn, originally released in 2007, captures an intimate and more mature sound from Martin.

Re-issued on CD in 2011, He never mentioned love sees the UK’s finest Jazz singer investigate songs memorably performed by her greatest influence, with no traces of borrowing or imitation.

Mojo described it as ‘Martin’s best album’, no small praise considering her award-winning discography.

The Times
4 Stars
‘Claire Martin, easily the best British singer of her generation, was often more affecting than some of the overly lush recordings that Horn made in her final years…This was, in short, no crossover stunt, but a genuine meeting of minds.’
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Jazzman
“… son chaleureux et atmosphère lounge.”
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The Stage
A relaxed duo offering up a delightful selection of songs
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Jazz Review
In short: a gem of an album, pulling off the difficult feat of simultaneously showcasing Martin’s unrivalled vocal gifts and celebrating the extraordinarily moving quality of Horn’s music. Strongly recommended.
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The Jazz Rag
The result is wholly listenable – a happy hour of music.
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Record Collector
4 Stars
Martin sings with her now familiar emotional power, maintaining her concentration with the song in hand, and always remaining totally believable.
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BBC Music Magazine
5 Stars
Claire Martin shows why she’s one of today’s most sought-after singers
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Jazz Times
(Her) voice is one of the most satisfying instruments in jazz.
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Die Weltwoche
Claire Martin ist eine dergrossen Jazzsängerinnen der Zeit.
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Audio and Video Review
5 Stars
Yet another stunning release on the world-renowned label Linn Records.
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Limelight
4½ Stars
As befitting someone whose musical intelligence, jazz spirit and individuality make her the complete singer, England’s finest jazz diva stamps her own personality on each track.
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Jazz UK
As beautifully done as you might expect from such a class act.
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The Star Ledger
It’s hard to imagine Horn not being impressed with Martin’s tribute.
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Mojo
4 Stars
A quiet beauty for admirers of small-hours jazz.
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The Sunday Post
Another great album from a British jazz icon – CD of the Week
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The Observer
Martin has a perfect jazz voice – warm, textured and subtle.
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Jazzwise
4 Stars
Claire Martin ticks that final box and moves closer to becoming the complete jazz singer she’s always threatened to be.
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Independent on Sunday
A superior vocalist for a long time – (Claire Martin) has developed real grain and character in her voice.
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The Sunday Times
3 Stars
Martin’s smoky voice has never sounded more authoritative.
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Mojo
Perhaps Martin’s best album.
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Audiophile Audition
5 Stars
It’s hard to pick and choose from so many good tracks…Very highly recommended!
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Yorkshire Post
An exceptionally fine album from one of the best singers around.
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The Scotsman
3 Stars
CLAIRE Martin has remained at the top of the ever-growing heap of UK jazz singers over the past decade and more.
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Evening Standard
4 Stars
Demonstrates the poised phrasing and smoky tone that make Ms Martin our most sophisticated jazz singer.
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Time Out
Our fave female jazz singer, Martin is absolutely peerless.
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www.girlsingers.org
4 Stars
Ms. Martin is often called “The UK’s finest jazz singer.” This disc makes a strong case.
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The Vortex Website / Magazine
In short: a gem of an album. Strongly recommended.
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Rainbow Network Website
5 Stars
What is impressive is the range of Martin’s voice which is, by turns, soaring, sensuous, plaintive and powerful.
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Atlanta Audio Society
Claire Martin has an intuitive sense of how to handle the emotion in a song lyric, or even a single word.
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The Herald
4 Stars
Without imitating her heroine, (Claire Martin) captures her essence beautifully.
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Record Collector
4 Stars
Considered by many, this writer included, as the UK’s premier jazz singer.
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The Guardian
4 Stars
If anyone can get away with a Shirley Horn tribute, it’s Claire Martin, whose subtle musical intelligence and jazz sensibilities have been deepening for a long time.
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BBC Website
Shirley’s passed the flame to Claire, who’s using it to light fireworks. Go girl!
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Observer Music Monthly
4 Stars
The complete jazz singer she’s always threatened to be.
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The First Post (website)
Claire Martin shows yet again why she is the classiest and most convincing UK female singer around.
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