Annie Lennox – ‘Nostalgia’
For her sixth studio album, Annie Lennox takes a sentimental journey into the past to deliver a contemporary piece of musical bliss.
Blessed with one of the most distinctive voices in music, Lennox鈥檚 voice is clearly the focal point of the album as the piano-based arrangements of jazz, blues and R&B are carefully absorbed and reinterpreted by the soulful diva.
Described by Lennox as a true labor of love, 鈥淣ostalgia鈥� features the former Eurythmics singer embracing a set of treasured standards formerly performed by such greats as Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Ray Charles.
While Charles is forever linked to 鈥淕eorgia on My Mind,鈥� Lennox delivers a hauntingly elegant version that is simply breathtaking. The Scottish singer smolders with the strength and defiance of a vengeful woman on 鈥淚 Put a Spell on You鈥� by Screamin鈥� Jay Hawkins, while offering up plenty of passion and emotion on Holiday鈥檚 鈥淪trange Fruit.鈥�
Lennox shines on other standout tracks like 鈥淪ummertime鈥� from 鈥淧orgy and Bess,鈥� the Patti Page hit 鈥淵ou Belong to Me鈥� and the powerful 鈥淕od Bless the Child.鈥� Duke Ellington鈥檚 鈥淢ood Indigo鈥� brings the album to a lavish conclusion with a bluesy aura and gorgeous, lush harmonies.
Lennox鈥檚 take on these classic songs detailing the human condition is expertly exercised with fine detail and care. With over 80 million record sales to date, the 59-year-old singer continues to evolve as an artist by placing her uniquely identifiable imprint on songs from various musical styles.
Lennox produces her best release since the deeply personal tracks of 2003鈥檚 鈥淏are鈥� and proves once again what sweet dreams are really made of.