Clare Teal - The Road Less Travelled (2003)

Just a few decades ago, people listened to musicians who put real emotions and talent into their compositions and arrangements. In jazz, artists such as Judy Garland, Doris Day, and Ella Fitzgerald developed their careers in what is now called the traditional way: they did not go onto television shows to garner popularity nor did they focus all of their energy on one song to become a hit single. These artists influenced Clare Teal through their music; in a now well-known story, Clare discovered a record player and a pile of 78's in her parent's attic and was transported into that time of creativity and passion. With her album "The Road Less Travelled" Clare Teal takes us back to those days.
She continues her voyage into the land of melodic and warm vocal jazz with her third release for Candid Records. After the release of her widely acclaimed "Orsino's Songs," she gained an extensive and distinguished following and caught the attention of radio presenters, magazines, and newspapers alike. Radio 4 presenter Humphrey Lyttleton called her 'a true great, both as a singer and a songwriter'. Clare has become a staple on the jazz scene. She debuted with the BBC Concert Orchestra on 6 June 2003. She performed with the BBC Big Band and John Dankworth's Big Band, and was one of the only British jazz performers at the Glastonbury Festival. Clare can frequently be heard on Radio Two and has been invited to host the syndicated radio programme 'EuroJazz'. Her wit and exuberance in her music are showcased at her popular live shows. She won "Best gig in Bath of the whole of 2001" and recently sold out at London's Ronnie Scott's. The Observer named "Orsino's Songs" CD of the Week in November 2002 and gushed that Clare has 'a terrific range of styles and moods...and they all sound natural and unforced'.
In 2003, she was the first vocalist to be nominated for two BBC Jazz Awards in the Best Vocalist and Best Newcomer categories. On this album, Clare is again complimented by her band, who are, as Callum Jones said, 'a group of top players who know exactly what they are doing'. This group includes familiar names such as Martin Litton, on piano; Nils Solberg, on guitar; John Day, on bass; Rod Brown, on drums; Simon Wallace, on piano; and the new addition of Mark Crooks on reeds.
Clare is also joined by two special guests: Jamie Cullum, with whom she shares a record label and a groovy self-penned duet on the title song, and Melvin Duffy, who contributes pedal steel guitar to another, more pensive original called "So Blue". "The Road Less Travelled" will push Clare Teal into the forefront of the modern jazz movement that is being forged by the Candid label. The momentum has been building since her first release and can only gain Clare more listeners and accolades.