''Bittersweet and Blue'', the second album by British singer-songwriter
Gwyneth Herbert, was released in 2004 on the
Universal Classics and Jazz label.
It comprised mainly
jazz standards. Herbert's version of
Neil Young's "
Only Love Can Break Your Heart
"Only Love Can Break Your Heart" is a song written by Canadian-American singer-songwriter, musician, and activist Neil Young. It has been covered by many bands.
Genesis and recording
The song is the third track on Neil Young's album '' After ...
", taken from the album, was featured on the soundtrack of
romantic comedy ''
Leap Year'', directed by
Anand Tucker
Anand Tucker (born 24 June 1963) is a film director and producer based in London. He began his career directing factual television programming and adverts. He co-owns the production company Seven Stories.
Personal life
Tucker was born in Thailan ...
and starring
Amy Adams and
Matthew Goode.
The album received a four-starred review in ''The Guardian''.
Reception
Linda Serck, reviewing ''Bittersweet and Blue'' for ''
musicOMH
MusicOMH (stylized as musicOMH) is a London-based online music magazine which publishes independent reviews, features and interviews from across all genres including classical, metal, rock and R&B.
History
MusicOMH was founded and launched by ...
'', described it as "a stunning album" from a "great jazz talent" who "embodies all the smoky jazz boozers she's ever sung in and tacitly commands you to prick up your ears and listen".
, in a four-starred review for ''
The Guardian'', praised Herbert's "precociously powerful chemistry of taste and meticulous care for every sound – from a whisper to an exhortation."
Track listing
Personnel
* Gwyneth Herbert – vocals
* John Parricelli – acoustic, electric, nylon string and steel string guitars (except on "Bittersweet and Blue")
* Will Rutter – acoustic guitar on "Bittersweet and Blue"
* Tom Cawley – piano,
vibes
Vibes may refer to:
* Vibes (percussion) or vibraphone, a musical instrument
* Vibes (company) a mobile marketing company
* The aura or energy given off by someone
Media
* ''Vibes'' (film), a 1988 comedy
* ''Vibes'' (video game), a 2010 video ...
,
Fender Rhodes
The Rhodes piano (also known as the Fender Rhodes piano) is an electric piano invented by Harold Rhodes, which became popular in the 1970s. Like a conventional piano, the Rhodes generates sound with keys and hammers, but instead of strings, th ...
and
Hammond Organ
The Hammond organ is an electric organ invented by Laurens Hammond and John M. Hanert and first manufactured in 1935. Multiple models have been produced, most of which use sliding drawbars to vary sounds. Until 1975, Hammond organs generated s ...
* Mark Hodgson – double bass
* Jeremy Stacey – drums (except on "Fever" and "Almost Like Being In Love")
* Ian Thomas – drums on "Fever" and "Almost Like Being In Love"
* Paul Clarvis – percussion
* Steve Sidwell – trumpet
* Neil Sidwell – trombone
* Nigel Hitchcock – tenor saxophone on "It's Alright With Me" and "A Little Less"
* Dave Bishop – tenor saxophone (except on "It's Alright With Me" and "A Little Less")
Production
The album was produced and engineered by Pete Smith and was recorded and mixed at
Townhouse Studios in west London between June and July 2004.
Design
The album sleeve, incorporating photographs by Uri Weber, was designed by Rummey Design.
Dedication
The album is dedicated to the memory of Tristan Hewins.
[Sleeve notes]
References
External links
Gwyneth Herbert: official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bittersweet and Blue
2004 albums
Gwyneth Herbert albums
Jazz albums by British artists