Album review: Jools Holland, Sirens of Song

Jools Holland.

It's that time of year, when labels start pouring out Christmas offerings from their stars, best of compilations, and re-releases. Some are just fluffy nothingness, and others are decent records that don't deserved to be lumped in bargain bins. This one happily falls in the latter category.

There are definitely no Christmas carols here, in fact there are several new tracks, but the overall tone is festive and celebratory, and you'll likely keep multiple generations happy giving this a spin at a family gathering. In 2012, Jools Holland, one of Britain's most beloved musical institutions, released The Golden Age Of Song, a record which had him collaborating with a wide array of stars on the Great American Songbook to very popular result, backed by his wonderful Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. This is a not dissimilar exercise, except he confines his collaborators to women, and tackles a wider range of material.

Amy Winehouse with Jools Holland performing Monkey Man:

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From the majestic Ruby Turner covering Ray Charles, to Kylie Minogue doing a cheeky version of The Clash's Should I Stay Or Should I Go, to a vivacious See-Line Woman from Laura Mvula, to a rare recording of Amy Winehouse doing a heady Monkey Man, it offers plenty of diversity. The co-write between Holland and Joss Stone, Letting Me Down is a surprising highlight, a classic soulful rollercoaster, and the younger generation are also well-represented by Rumer, Emeli Sande, and KT Tunstall.

If you generally enjoy the swinging style of Holland and his orchestra, you'll find plenty to enjoy here.

Label:

Warner Music

Verdict:

Appropriately festive without the cheese factor.

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