THE LUCINDA BELLE ORCHESTRA My Voice & 45 Strings (2010 UK
12-track CD album - The Lucinda Belle Orchestra is the sum of one
harp, a harmonium, the melodica, some strings, horns, an upright
bass, drums, the ukulele, a clarinet, guitar...and one quite
extraordinary songwriter and front-woman. Lucinda's musical life
began aged six, when she was dragged kicking and screaming by her
mother to classical recitals at the Royal Festival Hall. To everyone's
surprise, Belle found herself falling for the harp, in all its
45-string-glory. Lucinda's debut album, 'My Voice & 45 Strings' was
recorded in various locations including Nashville – where Lucinda once
studied jazz - Los Angeles, London, Stockholm and Paris; with
co-writes from the likes of Graham Lyle ['What's Love Got To Do With
It?'] and Ed Harcourt. The title track kicks off proceedings, with its
infectious polka beat, ragtime piano and self-affirming lyrics.
'Valentine', meanwhile, is a twinkling Parisian waltz, all shimmering
strings and shuffling acoustics, recalling Nouvelle Vague at their most
sultry. Throughout this often-mellow debut, Lucinda's songs are
imbued with a soulfulness that never feels contrived. 'I'll Get By' is the
kind of melancholic, piano-led lament that saw Norah Jones conquer
the commercial world, though Lucinda's own satin-smooth vocals
mask a lyrical ache owing more to a love of Billie Holiday ]'These
Broken Things']. Perhaps best of all is 'Northern Lights', a delicate and
emotional torch-song on which Lucinda is largely left alone with her 45
strings. It is here that she cements her status as an utterly bewitching
new talent!)
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