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ONCE MORE WITH FEELING

This 1967 album sleeve features a very sophisticated looking Jackie with hair piled up and a wearing a fur coat and that's a taster for the goodies contained in the grooves as the sound features the three B's, Big, Bold And Brassy"!

Got To Get You Into My Life
The album opens with a rousing start with a big band, chorus and Jackie singing full out on this Beatles number, but that's where the comparison ends as Jackie always sings it the 'Trent' way "Listen To Me - Ooh" she sings before bringing the song to a rousing finale with another "Listen To Me" - could you refuse?

It's Not Easy Loving You
Chanting chorus opens this power ballad, "It's So Hard But I'll Try To Carry On" sings Jackie which in hindsight could almost mirror her life, I have always loved this song which was also the b side to "Your Love Is Everywhere".The songs ends on a quieter note with Jackie pleading "Love Me".

Sunny
Jackie's version of the Bobby Hebb classic again features a girl chorus (probably The Breakaways). The Trent diction is in full force on this number with "Thank Ya" and it trots along at a steady pace with horns and tambourines in the background before Jackie brings this to a close with a jazz inflected "Sunny Baby I Love You"

Either Way I Lose
Superb orchestral backing opens this slow dramatic number "So What Difference Does It Make Which One I Choose" croons Jackie. The instrumental break in the middle of this song gets you prepared for the climax with Jackie hitting some great high notes before bringing the song to a quieter end.

Take Me Away
Piano, percussion, tambourines and probably the kitchen sink open this superb number with Jackie's voice soaring over the strings on this faster paced song, "Take Me Away From The Life I Knew" pleads Jackie before the brass has a brief spot before her vocals take over again. I really love the arrangement on this song it has a very Trent/Hatch sound which was so dominant in many of their recordings - especially Petula's hits.

Open Your Heart
Side one of the album closes with another dramatic ballad with some classical sounding strings punctuated with brass and drums, this is Jackie at her finest with some heartfelt "Yeah Yeah's", the key change is absolutely brilliant with Jackie singing full out right up to the big finish. This song was also released on a 45 as the A side.

Side 2 Kicks off with:-

Everything Swings
As the TV commercial says that's exactly what it says on the tin as Jackie is in full swinging jazzy mode on this song, punctuated with piano, drums and swinging brass. Jackie sure could swing; note the Cleo Laine style high notes.

Baby Are You Puttin' Me On
This song has been a firm favourite of mine since the first time I heard it.
I will never forget Jackie's mum Lily's hilarious comments to me when we were reviewing tracks for a cd years ago in Jackie's house. Lily looked at me and said "Oh I Don't Like That, I Don't Like That At All, If It Were Anyone Other Than Jackie I'd Switch It Off" - by this time I was helpless with laughter.
Anyway to get back to the song it has a great opening with horns and drums which lead the way for Jackie's vocals which quickly get into soulful mode with girly chorus in the background.
The finale is just brilliant with Jackie chanting "Listen To Me, Listen To Me Baby"
This is Jackie at her superb best and why this was never released as a single is one of life's great mysteries!

Make It Easy On Yourself
A huge hit for The Walker Brothers but again given that special 'Trent' treatment here, a lush orchestration with Jackie's rich vocals to the fore on this well known song.

Reach Out I'll Be There
The Four Tops hugh smash works so well here with Jackie jumping right in, once more we have chanting chorus. Jackie really makes this song her own stamping her own brand of soul into the lyrics, just listen to the way she spits out the words "Just Look Over Your Shoulder".

I'll Be With You
Jackie returns to a quieter style on this ballad which was also the b side of her beautiful reading of Cat Stevens Humming Bird. No big climaxes on this song but it goes along at a nice pace before Jackie winds it up with what I think is a nice flugel horn.

Who Can I Turn To
The album spins to an end with this classic taken at a gentle pace, but Jackie once more puts her mark on this song and gives it that special treatment with her distinctive "Trent-ism" style and all too soon ends this album on a rousing finale.

Karl Johansen (February 2012)