Rachel Tucker – The Reason – CD review

RACHEL TUCKER
The Reason
Big Hand 2013

Those of us who don’t live in London will probably remember Rachel Tucker as one of the wannabee West End stars on the BBC talent show, “I’d Do Anything” back in 2008.  She finished fourth, but much like the third placed Samantha Barks has done better than the winner, as after a year in “We WIl Rock You”, she went on to play Elphaba in West End production of “Wicked” longer than any other actress in the production’s history.

Since leaving “Wicked” last year she’s been putting together her debut album which sees her tackling songs by  Celine Dion, Ed Sheeran, Paloma Faith, Queen, Evanescence, Michael Jackson, Al Jolson, Judy Garland, as well as visits to the musicals “Rent”, “Dreamgirls” and “Wicked” (natch).

So at least it’s a more diverse selection than your run of the mill, musical actor makes album selection. But in between some cracking renditions there are a couple of horrible misfires.  Unfortunately, one of them is the opening number, ‘Small Bump’.  For sure, it’s interesting to hear it sung from the female perspective, but regardless of the theme, it’s a dreadful song.  The opposite is true of ‘One Night Only’ from “Dreamgirls”, which is a great song.  It gets murdered here though, in a key that’s just wrong.

But the good stuff is really good.  Her visit to Celine Dion on ‘The Reason’ isn’t a surprise, but it’s surprising how well she does taking on a classic from the best singer of my lifetime.  The same can be said of the more surprising visit to ‘My Immortal’ by Evanescene, which is a real treat.  There are a couple of so-so numbers, and one I can’t decide on, which is ‘Stone Cold Sober’ by Paloma Faith.  Maybe it’s because it’s a Paloma song that I have trouble listening to someone cover it. But I vacillate wildly between love and hate.

The least surprising non-surprise is, of course, ‘Defying Gravity’, a song she must have sung hundreds of times.  If you’re only familiar with the Idina Menzel version, it will come as a bit of a shock, but this is one of the best renditions I’ve heard.  Things end with a rather delightful medley of Al Jolson and Judy Garland songs, which sees Ms Tucker duetting with her father.

Overall, it’s a really good record, with only the odd misfire, something that is only to be expected on an album of diverse covers.  But there are at least half a dozen songs here that are firmly on repeat play.

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