It was incredibly sad to learn of the untimely death of The Cranberries frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan the other day. I shall remember her like the majority of people who grew up in the 80’s and 90’s will, because of her captivating, iconic voice and epic releases “Linger“, “Zombie” and “No Need To Argue” (which I saved up three weeks pocket money to buy on cassette.) Thinking about it now, as I catch myself reminiscing about music in from my teenage years I realise more than ever how female voices appeared far more distinctive than a fair proportion of those around today. Another female of the time with unmistakable vocals is Tracey Thorn, best known as one half of the duo Everything but the Girl. It was Tracey’s soulfully unique voice which turned the disco song “Missing” into a mega-hit which remains well loved to this day.
It is interesting that when recollecting about Dolores O’Riordan lead me to think about Tracey Thorn. It is even more coincidental that I’ve received no less than three emails today, informing me of Tracey’s upcoming album “Record” and it’s first single “Queen“. What a brilliant, introduction to a new album, the track is a heady cocktail of softly pulsing synths combined with that velvety smooth voice of Tracey’s which has lost none of its definition or allure through the years. The way in which she sings on the track is, as always articulate but has a special kind of blissful eloquence on “Queen” that feels pretty, incredible and magnificent. Tracey’s vocals are like a fine wine, that gets better and more, full-bodied over time.
The video is a simple idea, which sees the lovely lady singing in the back of a taxi. I’m glad she didn’t jump into a cab ride with James Cordon for a spot of carpool karaoke because that would have been just, mad silly for this, particularly pretty song. But an impromptu rendition of “Missing” surely is an opportunity for more televised, pop gold.
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