A couple of months ago I was watching Jools Holland’s Later TV show, when, as so often happens on this programme now, one act caught my attention. American Lizz Wright performed (criminally) just one song during yet another mediocre show. This young lady’s voice blew me away and I quickly set out to find out more about her and her newest album. Eventually I had to resort to my friend Mr Ebay to obtain the CD, and it confirmed that this young lady is quite special.

DREAMING WIDE AWAKE is Wright’s second album and is dominated by cover versions, but with three of the best tracks written by the lady herself. Now when an artist this good sings cover versions it’s because the songs hold something special for her. The classic and much covered Taste Of Honey opens the album. Wright gives it a very Delta Blues flavour with a vocal that is measured and natural. There are the most subtle hints of expression in her voice, as it sways around the dark and stripped down instrumental arrangement. It’s a gorgeous version and one of the best I’ve heard. Stop written by Joe Henry is underpinned by a Latin beat, meandering piano notes, while Wright provides the most fluid, smooth and easy vocal. The next track, Hit The Ground, was the song performed by her on the TV show, and is written by her. It’s a mix of blues and Gospel with lovely backing vocals and a subdued Wright vocal that occasionally soars. It’s a stunning song. There’s a couple of Marc Anthony Thompson songs on the album including the next soulful track, When I Close My Eyes. Classic, I’m Confessin’, reveals a singer with a voice that lies somewhere between Nancy Wilson and Nina Simone. It’s a gentle interpretation with another smooth-as-silk vocal. One of my favourite tracks here is Wright’s blues/bluegrass version of Neil Young’s Old Man. Without doubt it’s one of the best covers of this great song that I have ever heard. It includes the most amazing instrumental arrangement, and a wandering vocal performance that marks this lady out as very special indeed.

Dreaming Wide Awake and Trouble are also written by Wright. The latter is a soaring R&B ballad, while the former is a more contemplative, soulful song. Both are good enough to lead one to expect that the next album will fully exploit this young lady’s writing talent.

This is a lovely, relaxing album from a lady who reminds me of some of America’s very best black female singers. I look forward to seeing her perform live here, but in the meantime this album will keep me more than happy, and it comes with my strong recommendation.

4/5