Album of the week: Sharleen Spiteri

Published on Friday 11 July 2008 16:44

SHARLEEN SPITERI Melody *** Mercury 1769263, £11.99

It could be said that Spiteri's solo career started a couple of Texas albums ago, with the band retreating further into the shadows as the music was carried by the sheer force of her personality and distinctive quality of that voice.

The Motown influences so apparent in 'Black Eyed Boy' are given full rein, with Sharleen's ensemble playing Birdsong, Ross and Wilson to good effect on the rousing 'Day Tripping'. But what she is shooting for is an authentic Sixties soul sound, and more often than not hits the target.

The opening 'It Was You' sounds like an old friend from the back of the rack, throbbing with an effortless energy that also pulses through 'Don't Keep Me Waiting', which adds plenty of brassy bounce to the ounce. 'All The Times I've Cried' has the sass and savvy of an out-take from Dusty In Memphis reshaped by Burt Bacharach, all in keeping with the intended period feel. Which may also explain the short but sweet running time, which clocks in around the 37 minute mark.

Sharleen also pays lip-gloss service to Nancy Sinatra on 'I'm Going To Haunt You', which may not have turned out quite as spooky as she may have hoped. All of 19 years since Texas's first hit with 'I Don't Want A Love', this is a debut solo album that sounds like the first of many.

Download this: All The Times I've Cried, Day Tripping