Dreamer in Concert is the first live album by Stacey Kent, but the 16th album in her impressive catalogue. Released on the legendary Blue Note label, this is a long overdue live contribution from a gifted performer.

The American singer is making waves in Brazil, a feat in no small part due to her talent in singing in Portuguese. In fact, Kent was the only American artist invited to perform at the 80th birthday celebrations of Rio’s most famous landmark, Christ the Redeemer.

The album is a beautiful mix of songs. A good proportion is made up by songs of the late Antônio Carlos Jobim, an undoubted force in the bossa nova style. Kent also sings arrangements of some more unusual and equally beautiful songs such as Serge Gainsbourg’s “Ces Petits Riens”, and “Postcard lovers” with lyrics penned by renowned English author Kazuo Ishiguro.

The highlight of the album however is the tune “O Comboio”, penned by Portuguese poet Antonio Ladeira. The soft melancholy sound of this tune really justifies Kent’s attraction to working with writers as opposed to songwriters. In working with these writers, the group’s saxophonist and album producer (who also happens to be Kent’s husband) Jim Tomlinson writes the music for the compositions. This obviously intimate relationship gives the music a close charm, and allows Kent to sing what are obviously very personal songs tailored specifically for her fantastic voice.

The album is soft and cool and the gentle bossa is stylish and sympathetic. Whether you’re new to Stacey Kent or not, this live offering is bound to capture the mood as summer rolls around.

You can buy Dreamer In Concert at Amazon and iTunes

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