The Beat Goes On is a critically acclaimed album by Canadian jazz vocalist Emilie-Claire Barlow, released in 2010. It is her seventh album and notably features her distinctive interpretations of popular songs from various eras, primarily the 1960s and 1970s, reimagined with a contemporary jazz sensibility.
Background and Release
Following the success of her previous albums, Emilie-Claire Barlow continued to build her reputation for elegant vocal delivery and sophisticated arrangements. The Beat Goes On was released independently on her own label, E.C.B. Productions. The album title track is a cover of the Sonny & Cher hit from 1967. The album quickly garnered significant attention, particularly within the jazz community in Canada and internationally.
Musical Style and Themes
The album showcases Barlow's signature style, blending traditional jazz elements with modern arrangements and a polished pop sensibility. It features a mix of upbeat swing numbers, bossa nova rhythms, and tender ballads. A recurring theme in Barlow's work, also present here, is the inclusion of bilingual tracks, with several songs performed in both English and French. The arrangements are often intricate, featuring lush string sections, vibrant horns, and a tight rhythm section, all complementing Barlow's clear and expressive vocals.
Track Listing (Selected)
The album's track list includes a diverse selection of covers, each given a fresh jazz treatment:
- "The Beat Goes On" (Sonny & Cher cover)
- "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" (Neil Sedaka cover)
- "Come Fly With Me" (Frank Sinatra standard)
- "C'est Si Bon" (Eartha Kitt/Louis Armstrong standard)
- "Les Yeux Ouverts (Dream a Little Dream of Me)" (The Mamas & the Papas/Ella Fitzgerald standard)
- "Walk On By" (Dionne Warwick cover)
- "Quand Le Soleil Dit Bonjour Aux Montagnes (The Wedding)" (Julie Rogers cover)
- "La Belle Dame Sans Regrets" (Original composition by Emilie-Claire Barlow and Amanda Martinez)
Critical Reception
The Beat Goes On received widespread critical acclaim. Critics praised Barlow's vocal versatility, the inventive arrangements, and the album's overall polish and sophistication. It was lauded for successfully transforming familiar pop songs into engaging jazz pieces without losing their essence. The album was nominated for a Juno Award in 2011 for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, marking her third nomination in this category.
Personnel
Emilie-Claire Barlow is typically backed by a core group of highly accomplished Canadian jazz musicians. While the specific personnel for each track may vary, the album generally features:
- Emilie-Claire Barlow: Vocals, arrangements
- Piano: Often Chris Donnelly or Reg Schwager
- Bass: Typically Jon Maharaj
- Drums: Usually Fabio Rebeiro or Davide DiRenzo
- Guitar: Sometimes Reg Schwager or Kelly Jefferson
- Saxophone/Flute: Luis Deniz or Kelly Jefferson
- Strings and Horns: Often session musicians contributing to the orchestral arrangements.
The album solidified Emilie-Claire Barlow's position as a leading figure in contemporary vocal jazz, demonstrating her talent for both interpretation and arrangement.