CHARLOTTE CHURCH Back To Scratch (2010 UK 13-track CD album -
Produced by Martin Terefe [KT Tunstall, James Morrison] and Sacha
Skarbeck [Adele, James Blunt], 'Back To Scratch' is multi-textured
pop dynamite, showcasing Charlotte's incredible range as well as her
knack for informing each and every song she sings with unabashed
emotion. Opening with the contemplative but vibrant single [and
album title track], other highlights include the reflective 'Ruby'
[originally recorded by French singer, Camille], a warm Parisian jazz
shuffle full of affectionate motherly advice to her young daughter and
infused with a vintage vinyl crackle, 'Logical World' - a grown up guitar
track with a rousing, perfect-pop chorus, 'The Actors' which gives a
nod to musical theatre, with its Lloyd Webber style intensity and
dramatic dynamics, while the delicate 'Story of Us' explodes into
stadium ballad territory and tells of her relationship with her mother.
Elsewhere 'Don't Think About It' shows off a Southern swagger
influenced by Charlotte's time in Nashville, with bold Bobbie Gentry
vocals and a sultry bluegrass backbone. The optimistic 'Cup Of The
Sun' is a short but ever so sweet folk-pop number, laid with lush
harmonies and the autobiographical 'Honestly' buzzes with a show
tune style sparkle. Tucked away secretly at the end of the album sits
a tender, hugely affecting version of Joni Mitchell's classic 'River', set
to an elegiac string quartet arrangement).
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