Stacey Kent
Breakfast On the Morning Tram
Blue Note
By George W. Harris

Can this really be Stacey Kents first release in almost four years? This disc is simply a knockout. Putting a modern touch to Frank Sinatra’s “Come Fly With Me”, Kent fills an album with poignant and clever perspectives of life and love while traversing the world. Her voice, an engaging mixture of Betty Boop and the girl next door, is both arresting and disarmingly sweet, with humor to spare on songs like “I wish I could go Travelling Again” Cozy as a morning tea, she exudes warmth on “The Ice Hotel” and the title tune. “Hard-Hearted Hannah” comes off as swinging as anything Ella could have come up with, and her reading of “What A Wonderful World” is an etude like closing to an hour’s worth of music that can’t help but make you want to get out your Frommer’s Guide. Not every singer has to be a leggy blond; check this kindred spirit out.