Say It Isn't So - AKD 454

Say it isn’t so

Claire Martin & Richard Rodney Bennett

Say It Isn’t So

Claire Martin vocals Richard Rodney Bennett piano, vocals and all arrangements Recorded at Avatar Studios, New York, USA on the 22nd August 2011 Produced by Philip Hobbs and Calum Malcolm

2

Engineered and mixed by Calum Malcolm Photography by Sven Arnstein Design by gmtoucari.com

1.

Steppin’ Out 2:21

2.

Change Partners 2:42

3.

Get Thee Behind Me Satan / I Got Lost In His Arms 3:47

4.

He Ain’t Got Rhythm 2:14

5.

Love You Didn’t Do Right By Me 2:49

6.

How Deep Is The Ocean 3:24

7.

Lonely Heart 3:02

8.

Shakin’ The Blues Away / Blue Skies 2:45

9.

Better Luck Next Time 3:01

Irving Berlin; Berlin Irving Music Corp & Universal Music Publishing Limited Irving Berlin; Berlin Irving Music Corp & Universal Music Publishing Limited Irving Berlin; Berlin Irving Music Corp & Universal Music Publishing Limited Irving Berlin; Berlin Irving Music Corp & Universal Music Publishing Limited Irving Berlin; Berlin Irving Music Corp & Universal Music Publishing Limited Irving Berlin; Irving Berlin Inc & Francis Day and Hunter Ltd Irving Berlin; Berlin Irving Music Corp & Universal Music Publishing Limited Irving Berlin; Berlin Irving Music Corp & Universal Music Publishing Limited Irving Berlin; Berlin Irving Music Corp & Universal Music Publishing Limited

10. Say It Isn’t So 3:16

Irving Berlin; Irving Berlin (England) Music & Francis Day and Hunter Ltd

11. What’ll I Do? 3:46

Irving Berlin; Francis Day and Hunter Ltd

12. Waiting At The End Of The Road 3:37

Irving Berlin; Irving Berlin Inc & Francis Day and Hunter Ltd

Total Time: 36:44 3

The human voice was a life-long source of inspiration for Richard Rodney Bennett; not only as a composer of perfectly crafted vocal and choral works, but as a songwriter, piano accompanist and singer himself. His knowledge of popular song from the ‘golden age’ of the twentieth century was unmatched – there were few songs he didn’t know inside out, verse and chorus, and throughout his long and widely-varied career he enjoyed a number of celebrated musical partnerships with some of the leading jazz and cabaret singers in both the UK and abroad.

His collaboration with Claire Martin was, for many of his friends and admirers, the most successful and musically satisfying of his musical partnerships. At first they made for slightly unusual bedfellows – he the grand old man of British music and she the brightest of the young jazz stars – but the chemistry between them was special from the off. The love, respect and admiration they had for each other is evident in every track they recorded together over the years. © John Wilson, 2013

4

5

6

In 2011 Richard and I played the Oak Room (which has now sadly closed) at the wonderful Algonquin Hotel in New York City for a 3 week run. Our show was called ‘A Couple of Swells’ and it was our tribute to the great Irving Berlin. We spent months going over the song possibilities – Berlin had been so prolific! – and eventually chose our favourites to make up our two sets.

This album, also recorded in New York, captures the best of the show and Richard’s tasteful arrangements give each song a special magic. It was an honour to work with Richard and I’m very proud of have had the privilege to have known him and to have loved him.

Singing with Richard was always a joy; we had so much fun and so many laughs together. He was very pleased that this album was going to be released. I hope you enjoy it – we loved making it. © Claire Martin, 2013

7

Claire Martin & Richard Rodney Bennett

Claire Martin & Richard Rodney Bennett

AKD 454

Also available on Linn

Claire Martin & Kenny Barron

Claire Martin

Claire Martin

Witchcraft

When Lights Are Low

Too Much in Love to Care

Claire Martin

Claire Martin

Claire Martin

Too Darn Hot!

Secret Love

He Never Mentioned Love

For even more great music visit linnrecords.com

Glasgow Road, Waterfoot, Eaglesham, Glasgow, G76 0EQ T: +44 (0)141 303 5027 | E: info@linnrecords.co.uk

A Modern Art

The Early Years Anthology