Annie Lennox's 2014 covers collection,
Nostalgia, finds the former
Eurythmics vocalist soulfully interpreting various pop, jazz, and R&B standards. In many ways,
Nostalgia works as a companion piece to her similarly inventive 2010 album, the holiday-themed
Christmas Cornucopia. As with that album,
Lennox eschews predictability by picking an unexpected set of songs and producing them with detailed care. While
Nostalgia certainly fits nicely next to any number of other standards albums by veteran pop stars, it does nothing to diminish
Lennox's distinctive style. On the contrary, working with producer Mike Stevens,
Lennox has crafted an album that brings to mind the sophisticated, contemporary sound of her original studio releases while allowing her to revel in the grand popular song tradition. Moving between evocative piano accompaniment, orchestral numbers, moody synthesizer arrangements, and even some rollicking small-group swing,
Lennox takes a theatrical -- yet always personal -- approach to each song, finding endlessly interesting juxtapositions and stylistic combinations to explore. She references
Miles Davis' plaintive take on the Porgy and Bess classic "Summertime," tenderly evinces a combination of
Billie Holiday and
Sade on "Strange Fruit," and draws on both
Aretha Franklin and
Screamin' Jay Hawkins for "I Put a Spell on You." Elsewhere, tracks like "I Cover the Waterfront" and "Mood Indigo" bring to mind similar recordings from
Carole King and
Bryan Ferry. Ultimately, even without
Nostalgia's impeccable production, in the end it's
Lennox's burnished, resonant vocals that steal the focus here, and just like the songs she's picked, their beauty will likely stand the test of time. ~ Matt Collar