Private View is an aural celebration of
Swing Out Sister's 25th anniversary, and features completely rearranged versions of some of the best known tunes in its catalog. Lots of acts try this; more often than not the result is a mixed bag at best and an utter failure at worst. Not this time. Vocalist and composer Corrine Drewery and keyboardist/arranger/composer Andy Connell (the two remaining members of the original group) appear here with a backing quintet that includes Tim Cansfield on guitar, Gina Foster on backing and duet vocals, Jody Linscott on percussion, Dan Swana on upright bass, and
Noel Langley on flügelhorn, to completely revision these tracks in what amounts to a brand new next step worthy of being called the band's first new studio offering since 2008's brilliant
Beautiful Mess. While it's obvious that
Private View will appeal largely to
SOS' devoted fan base, it shouldn't be limited to it. Some of these versions, in particular "Notgonnachange," "Incomplete Without You," and "Mama Didn't Raise No Fool," are all jazz-based pop gems with elegant, breezy arrangements; Drewery's voice is so singular and original in its phrasing, and classy and soulful in its delivery, it remains undiminished by time. The gorgeous late-night club cover of Thom Bell's and Bobby Hart's soul classic "La La Means I Love You"-- intro'ed and outro'ed by languid, sexy groove-based themes -- is worth the album's purchase price by itself. The new version of
SOS' first smash "Breakout" is subtitled "(Fabulous Party Mix)," and is a deliberate attempt at humor. Rather than the celebratory dancefloor pop of the original, this one is a midtempo ballad full of lilting strings, shimmering keyboards, and shuffling percussion that is more tempered, sure, but also more emotionally resonant. While
Private View may be an atypical introduction to
Swing Out Sister, it's still a fine one for beginners. For fans, it's an absolutely essential addition to the catalog. [The Japanese version of the album contains the additional cuts "Love Will Not Let You Down" and "Get in Touch with Yourself."] ~ Thom Jurek