Chantal Claret
We were recently put on to Chantal Claret, singer for Morningwood, a pop rock band who achieved considerable success in the US with a No.1 debut on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. We were sent through a copy of The One, The Only… to see what we thought of things, and seeing as we had been told it was definitely one we needed to check out, I was keen to get going. This was further compounded when I did some research into the band, only to discover that their interests are ‘swimming, bingo, magic the gathering, 5 cent keno, royal milk tea, sunblock, cat naming, long walks, crock pots and the lyrics to ‘If you like pina coladas’ – SOLD!
As the Intro leads us into the record we’re greeted by spoken vocals and big band backing, forming a 60’s style beat and getting things moving at an upbeat tempo. After being asked if we’re ready to start the show, things get going with Bite Your Tongue, a track based around a groove orientated bass line and powerful backing drum line. Soaring vocals take the lead through the track , keeping things based moving at a pace which is sure to get you moving, shaking and wanting more. Still keeping that retro sound moving throughout the mix, there’s a real ‘classic’ vibe to this track, the sort of thing which is going to stand it up as timeless from the word go.
This approach continues into Pleasure Seeker, once again backing the smooth vocals up with a bass heavy rhythm section whilst the track continues to build up. Think Mark Ronson style stuff and you’re getting somewhere close to the mix that’s on offer, taking an almost R&B (in the old sense of the term) approach and backing it up with brass and the like. The resulting sound is big, smooth and the sort of track which is going to get every single foot in the venue tapping – it’s impossible to sit still to. Pop Pop Bang Bang takes the lead next, once again shifting into an upbeat melee of bass, solid drum work and sheer catchy popiness (I think I just made up a word there..).
Continuing through This Time FCC NO!!, No Love Lost, Never Gonna Let You Go, Real Girls, Black Widow and Honey Honey the album continues to offer up upbeat and pop orientated licks, each track following on from the one before it and showcasing the awesome voice of Chantal. It’s when Song For The Sinners comes about though that another serious high point is reached, once again throwing out a Ronson style approach to the backing music and bolstering it with those smooth edged vocals. Catchy and straight down the line from start to finish, this is a track which marks a high point, and suggests some serious single potential.
Closing the record with Light It Up and Can’t Save Her the classic soul approach continues right up until the closing moments, keeping things moving until quite simply, the music stops. The final track on the album, Can’t Save Her, is a particular favourite of mine from the record, almost closing with a moment of reflection which brings things full circle, offering a moment to take it all in whilst at the same time, opening the door for what is to follow on from here.
I really like the feel of The One, The Only… from Chantal Claret as she’s managed to capture the essence of a classic soul or R&B show but added in a modern twist. The instrumental work throughout the album is second to none, which when combined with her own vocals, results in a sound which is retro and modern at the same time. Definitely a sideways step from the raw power we normally feature, there’s something about this album which I’ve really enjoyed and am looking forward to hearing more of!
To find out more about Chantal Claret, check out the Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
As the Intro leads us into the record we’re greeted by spoken vocals and big band backing, forming a 60’s style beat and getting things moving at an upbeat tempo. After being asked if we’re ready to start the show, things get going with Bite Your Tongue, a track based around a groove orientated bass line and powerful backing drum line. Soaring vocals take the lead through the track , keeping things based moving at a pace which is sure to get you moving, shaking and wanting more. Still keeping that retro sound moving throughout the mix, there’s a real ‘classic’ vibe to this track, the sort of thing which is going to stand it up as timeless from the word go.
This approach continues into Pleasure Seeker, once again backing the smooth vocals up with a bass heavy rhythm section whilst the track continues to build up. Think Mark Ronson style stuff and you’re getting somewhere close to the mix that’s on offer, taking an almost R&B (in the old sense of the term) approach and backing it up with brass and the like. The resulting sound is big, smooth and the sort of track which is going to get every single foot in the venue tapping – it’s impossible to sit still to. Pop Pop Bang Bang takes the lead next, once again shifting into an upbeat melee of bass, solid drum work and sheer catchy popiness (I think I just made up a word there..).
Continuing through This Time FCC NO!!, No Love Lost, Never Gonna Let You Go, Real Girls, Black Widow and Honey Honey the album continues to offer up upbeat and pop orientated licks, each track following on from the one before it and showcasing the awesome voice of Chantal. It’s when Song For The Sinners comes about though that another serious high point is reached, once again throwing out a Ronson style approach to the backing music and bolstering it with those smooth edged vocals. Catchy and straight down the line from start to finish, this is a track which marks a high point, and suggests some serious single potential.
Closing the record with Light It Up and Can’t Save Her the classic soul approach continues right up until the closing moments, keeping things moving until quite simply, the music stops. The final track on the album, Can’t Save Her, is a particular favourite of mine from the record, almost closing with a moment of reflection which brings things full circle, offering a moment to take it all in whilst at the same time, opening the door for what is to follow on from here.
I really like the feel of The One, The Only… from Chantal Claret as she’s managed to capture the essence of a classic soul or R&B show but added in a modern twist. The instrumental work throughout the album is second to none, which when combined with her own vocals, results in a sound which is retro and modern at the same time. Definitely a sideways step from the raw power we normally feature, there’s something about this album which I’ve really enjoyed and am looking forward to hearing more of!
To find out more about Chantal Claret, check out the Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls