Let Yourself Go – Celebrating Fred Astaire
Stacey Kent · 2000
54 min · 13 tracks · jazz
A lush and sophisticated jazz tribute intertwining classic standards with Stacey Kent's warm, melodic vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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Let Yourself Go — The title track sets the tone for the album, capturing the essence of carefree joy and spontaneity that defines both Astaire's spirit and Kent's interpretation.
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They Can't Take That Away From Me — This track highlights Kent's expressive vocal delivery, blending nostalgia with resilience as it honors the timeless lyrics and melody originally crafted by George and Ira Gershwin.
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One for My Baby (and One More for the Road) — Kent's rendition infuses this classic with a poignant intimacy, showcasing her ability to convey deep emotion through subtle phrasing and nuanced dynamics.
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'S Wonderful — This track exemplifies Kent's playful vocal style and rhythmic precision, capturing the whimsical charm inherent in the song while paying homage to its legendary origins.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong arrangements and vocal performances, contributing to its appeal within jazz standards.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of lush orchestration, with strings and brass complementing Kent's vocals throughout.
- Each track is arranged to highlight the interplay between Kent's voice and the instrumental backing, often allowing for extended instrumental sections.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for relaxed listening
- celebratory mood for joyful moments
- for intimate gatherings
- elegant background for dinner parties
- nostalgic charm with timeless appeal
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy, fast tracks
- seek modern sensibilities
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2000, this album marked Stacey Kent's fifth studio effort, showcasing her growing reputation as a leading voice in contemporary jazz. Following her acclaimed album 'The People We Meet,' it solidified her ability to reinterpret classic American songbook standards with a fresh yet respectful approach.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cassandra Wilson· Diana Krall· Madeleine Peyroux
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)
The bridge shifts the narrative focus to personal reflection on loneliness and longing, creating an intimate moment that resonates deeply.
By altering the emotional landscape mid-song, it allows listeners to grasp the complexity of desire and regret within a seemingly simple farewell.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Let Yourself Go 3:48
- 2 They Can't Take That Away From Me 5:09
- 3 I Won't Dance 4:37
- 4 Isn't This a Lovely Day? 3:58
- 5 They All Laughed 4:31
- 6 He Loves and She Loves 4:26
- 7 Shall We Dance? 3:03
- 8 One for My Baby (and One More for the Road) 5:57
- 9 'S Wonderful 6:01
- 10 A Fine Romance 3:02
- 11 I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plan 2:37
- 12 I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket 3:44
- 13 By Myself 3:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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