We don’t watch much telly and live for us is gigs, not theatre, so the talented Ms Smith has passed us largely by: we’ve only heard people rave about Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Gavin and Stacey and Benidorm (but then, who needs more than Detectorists?).
She starred in The Harry Hill Movie, but as ying for that rubbish yang she’s got an impressive theatre record.
Now comes (or came, it’s been out a while) this album of covers. It’s a relief to learn she’s not so talented she can’t just bash out a hatful of tunes during her coffee break. She’s been in musicals, so she can sing, and her voice is a bit Dusty Springfield.
It opens with Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy, which turns the hypnotic dance tune into a number with electric guitar. It works well, especially if you’re sick of that Gnarls Barkley musical tic, the repetitive bassline. After that she goes for the more stereotypical big, showy numbers: Anyone Who Had A Heart, Mad About The Boy, I Smell A Rat and the big band City Of Stars. There are no more rock covers, except a slower, bluesy Addicted To Love.
She’s toured this live and it sounds a good show; certainly one for fans of musicals.
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