Release date: 28th October
Cat No: PB1002
Launch event: Launch Event: The Pheasantry (London) 26th October, 2022
AWARDS
'For All We Know' is included in the prestigious Jazz Views Best Albums of the Year Award, and also featured as one of Jazz Fuel's Best 30 Jazz Releases of 2022.
LINER NOTES
The intimacy of the duo often produces music of exquisite beauty, and reveals a level of empathy between the musicians that can border on the incomprehensible. How can two people be so in tune with each other and the music, and react so intuitively in a music that is never played the same way twice? It is also a very unforgiving setting with no margin for error or hesitancy as every note, nuance and gesture is placed under the closest scrutiny with nowhere to hide.
With scant regard for the above and any inherent pitfalls in such a venture, Fleur Stevenson and Pete Billington present a set that is utterly spellbinding.
There is a fearlessness in the performances heard here that defy comparison with other versions of their chosen repertoire as the two protagonists seek to make their own personal mark on the music.
This, it should be noted, is done with great aplomb, as we are invited to listen to the delightful conversations between Fleur and Pete in their exploration of some classic songs.
Fleur imbues each song with a poignancy that enhances the lyric, whether it be a touch of melancholy, innocence, or resignation, delivering a thoughtful, fresh interpretation of the repertoire. The music is enhanced at every turn by Pete Billington's superb arrangements and multi-instrumentalism, which brings with it a splendid variety for the duo to explore whether Pete is heard on piano, guitar, double bass or even viola.
Listening to the music produced by these two wonderful musicians once again reminds us of the art of the duo, and how powerful and emotive the songs can be when handled as sensitively as they are on this album.
Liner notes: Nick Lea
ALBUM LAUNCH:
Wednesday 25th October, at The Pheasantry, Pizza Express Live, Chelsea.
Tickets (£15:) www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/fleur-stevenson-pete-billington-from-ella-to-oscar
