Louise Tucker - Midnight Blue (1982) - Lp

Louise Tucker (born 1956) is an English mezzo-soprano opera singer from Bristol, England. She achieved success in the early 1980s by recording two albums with record producers Charlie Skarbek and Tim Smit. The albums are notable for combining Tucker's classically-trained operatic voice with synthpop music.
Tucker studied at the Guildhall School Of Music And Drama in London. It was here that she trained as an opera singer.
Tucker's first album with Skarbek and Smit was Midnight Blue (A Project With Louise Tucker). The title track, "Midnight Blue", was released as a single in the UK, US, France, and several other countries, and it reached number 59 in the UK Singles Chart in April 1983, and number 46 on the US Hot 100 in August 1983.
The album reached number 127 in the US Billboard 200 chart The song "Only for You" was also released as a single in some countries.

Leading off the festivities is a re-working of Ludwig van Beethoven's "Midnight Blue".  While a synth-heavy performance, it retains the feel of Beethoven's composition wonderfully.  And Tucker is phenomenal, putting an excellent operatic vocal on top. 
With a very classical-rooted voice and sensibility, she is the highlight of the offering (which would likely have much to do with her name being on the cover).

The rest of the album, mostly composed by Skarbek and Smit, usually follows the same basic blueprint - well-arranged, classical-based synth music with excellent vocals.  Some tracks don't have quite the classical feel of the title track, but they help round things out a bit, and it's all solid. 
Definitely worth checking out if you appreciate operatic female vocal and solid, classical-based material in an '80s setting.

As good as she is, special mention should be given to Charlie Sarbeck who produced and arranged the record and also supplies very effective backup. His voice complements Tucker's and without his warm vocals the album may have been a bit brittle. Highlights: Midnight Blue, Voices in the Wind, Waiting for Hugo, Shadows, and a real standout - Bluesy

She has performed with several opera companies, including Dublin Grand Opera and Kent Opera. She also works as a teacher for young singers.

Side A
A1. Midnight Blue - 4:00
A2. Hush - 4:34
A3. Shadows - 5:22
A4. Gettin’ Older - 4:35

Side B
B1. Waiting For Hugo - 4:17
B2. Only For You - 3:34
B3. Voices In The Wind - 4:31
B4. Jerusalem - 4:35
B5. Graveyard Angel - 4:16

Credits

• Bass, Bass [Fretless] – John G. Perry
• Co-producer, Mixed By, Mastered By – Pat Stapley
• Design – Myosotis
• Drums [Steam & Electronic] – Peter May
• Engineer – Pat Stapley, Paul Travers
• Grand Piano [Steinway], Electric Piano, Synthesizer [Emulator] – Tim Smit
• Photography By – Jennifer Bates, Paul Cox (5)
• Producer – Charlie Skarbek, Tim Smit
• Vocals, Guitar [All Guitars], Piano, Synthesizer [Prophet 5, Korg, Yamaha] – Charlie Skarbek
• Vocals, Organ – Louise Tucker
• Written-By – Charlie Skarbek (tracks: A1 to B4), Tim Smit (tracks: A1 to B4)

Notes

(P) 1982 Motet
(C) 1982 Ariola Benelux
Distributed by the Ariola group of companies.
Recorded between June and September 1982 at Chestnut Studio, Frensham, Hampshire and Abbey Road Studios, St. John's Wood, London.
Designed in Baarn, Holland 

Genre: Synth-pop

Format: LP

Label: Ariola Records

Catalog# 205007

Prijs: €6,95

Vinyl: Goed

Cover: Goed

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