Personnel
Claire Martin (vocals), Kenny Barron (piano), Peter Washington (bass), Kenny Washington (drums)
Too Much In Love To Care
Year: 2012
Label: Linn Records
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2013 British Jazz Award Winner – Best New Album
Named ‘One of the Best Albums of 2012’ by Jazz History Online.
Claire Martin has been a driving force behind the UK jazz scene for the past 25 years and has won many accolades, including a British Jazz Award no less than six times. Her massive contribution to UK jazz was noted in 2011 when she was the proud recipient of an O.B.E. in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her services to music.
2011 saw Claire return to the States where she performed sell-out shows at The Lincoln Center with pianist Bill Charlap and The Algonquin Hotel in New York City with Sir Richard Rodney Bennett. New York City was also the location for her latest recording Too Much in Love to Care which she recorded with guest star Kenny Barron at Avatar Studios, one of the greatest recording facilities in the world.
They were joined by bassist Peter Washington, drummer Kenny Washington and guest Steve Wilson on saxophone and flute.
Too Much in Love to Care is a collection of classic romantic songs and beautiful ballads from The Great American Songbook with many of the tracks recorded in just one take, remarkable as it was the first time Claire and Kenny had played together.
Stereoplay
‘…her velvety voice fits well from the foreground especially harmonically in this collection of romantic jazz classics from the “Great American Songbook”.’ more >>
Jersey Jazz
‘Martin has a distinctive, rich and sensual voice that lends a special flavor to anything she chooses to sing. Barron is an accompanist supreme, finding just the right notes to enhance Martin’s vocalizing.’ more >>
Ultra Audio
Recording of the Month: ‘In some tunes it’s just Martin and Barron, voice and piano working hand in glove to create some amazingly intimate moments.’ more >>
The Jazz Times
‘Martin, who has always cited Ella Fitzgerald and Shirley Horn as major influences, can rightfully claim a place at their table.’ more >>
In Tune International
‘…this must rate as one of Claire’s best albums.’ more >>
Audiophile Audition
‘From the stylistic, “cool” jazz of the quartet to the assured, versatile singing, all of the pieces fit intuitively.’ more >>
Jazz History Online
One of the Best Albums of 2012: ‘heartfelt delivery’ more >>
Audio Video Club of Atlanta
‘This is her album, and her vocal chemistry is felt in the way she engages with every one of the 13 songs.’ more >>
Winnipeg Free Press
‘Martin is a great, expressive singer who makes these standards shine…’ more >>
Record Collector
‘…Claire Martin returns with what is unequivocally one of the year’s outstanding jazz vocal sets.’ more >>
Jazz Journal
‘This is an outstanding album from one of the finest jazz singers in the world today.’ more >>
Jazz FM ‘The Yamaha Sunday Jazz Jam
‘One of her best albums ever.’
Jazz Rag
‘[Claire]’s malleable voice, jazz instinctiveness and interpretative powers…’ more >>
Jazzwise
‘…gorgeous tone, faultless pitch, exquisite phrasing…’ more >>
The Daily Telegraph
‘Martin’s voice has a warmly seductive edge…’ more >>
The Observer
‘…[Claire] has never sounded better.’ more >>
Financial Times
‘…the delivery is immaculate.’ more >>
LondonJazz
…an unalloyed treat from start to finish. more >>