In London in the 1990s, Nicki Leighton-Thomas sang at many leading venues and during this time, met pianist and composer Simon Wallace, who had begun a long musical collaboration with lyricist and poet Fran Landesman (1927-2011). Arising from this meeting was Leighton-Thomas and Wallace’s 2001 album for Candid Records, Forbidden Games and soon after this came a self-released album of songs by Dory Previn (1925-2012), The New Enzyme Detergent Demise.
During the next few years, Leighton-Thomas’s singing career was sidelined as she took time away to care for her ailing son.
On this new release, she is again teamed with Wallace for another set of songs he has composed to underscore more of Landesman’s lyrics. Among these is The Girl You Can’t Forget, which Landesman wrote not only for but also about Leighton-Thomas.
In 1996, Leighton-Thomas’s affection for the lyrics of Landesman and Previn became clear when she was interviewed by Mike Pinfold for our book, The Singers And Their Styles. She said there: “Building a repertoire can be difficult, getting a good balance between tempo and style and finding material that keeps you and the musicians happy as well appealing to others. I have been deeply influenced by Dory Previn, whose storytelling in her lyrics reminds me very much of Fran Landesman’s.”
Although there are occasional flashes of wry humour in Landesman’s lyrics, the light-heartedness that abounds in popular song emerges infrequently and it takes special skill to deliver these songs in a manner that is never depressing and always filled with understanding. Leighton-Thomas has that skill and the resulting album is a constant delight.
Along the way are some instrumental solos: saxophonist Dave O’Higgins on Semi Detached, One Good Scandal and the bluesy Did We Have Any Fun; trumpeter Steve Waterman on Don’t Fall In Love With Me and Overture To Corrupt And Deprave; Simon Wallace on This Little Love and Hyde Side. On the last-named song, another long-time collaborator with the singer, guitarist Paul Stacey, is also very effective. An altogether excellent album that should appeal especially to those who like music that is intellectually stimulating.
Discography
Semi Detached; One Good Scandal; Overture To Corrupt And Deprave; Did We Have Any Fun; Secret Of Silence; It’s Only A Movie; Hyde Side; Depravity; This Little Love; Don’t Fall In Love With Me; The Girl You Can’t Forget; Stranger (46.37)
Leighton-Thomas (v); Simon Wallace (p); with, collectively: Steve Waterman (t); Dave O’Higgins (s); Paul Stacey (g); Alec Dankworth (b); Rod Youngs, Mike Pickering, Roy Dodds (d); Gary Hammond (pc). London, January 2022.
33Jazz Records 292
