JUDIE TZUKE : MOON ON A MIRRORBALL
Big Moon
I’m unashamedly a colossal Judie Tzuke fan, going right back as far as 1978. I have literally everything it’s possible to own by her… except the “These Are The Laws” single by Tzuke/Paxo that she still owes me after all these years (are you listening Jude? … smiles sweetly). What we have here is a rather splendid new retrospective (or what Jude herself describes as a bookmark) of her musical history. For your aural delectation, you will find 33 songs in total, four of which are new, and two of which are modern re-recordings. The two re-recorded tracks are “How Do I Feel?” (originally from “Ritmo”), which, as much as Jude has found the need to re-record it, I find myself preferring the original! However, the sheer power and emotion of the re-recorded “Late Again” is immeasurably gorgeous.
So let’s concentrate on the four brand new songs on offer. “If (When You Go)”, “Submarine Boy”, “Leaning”, and “Love Me No More”. The first is achingly beautiful, an utterly sublime haunting and simplistic melody, Jude’s voice beguiling and yearning all at once… just beautiful. The next is a gentle pop-rock song, subtle and shimmering, a modern classic by any standard. The third is a slightly more up tempo pop-rocker, Jude’s voice shining angelically throughout. The piano and guitar arrangements are elegant and stylish… everything we have come to know and expect from Jude musically. The last of the new quartet has a kind of quirky ‘dance’ feel to the verse structure, and a more classic feeling chorus, a very sophisticated number to be sure.
Whether you’re a dedicated follower, or just an inquisitive beginner as regards Jude, this double album is a sublime and beautiful collection to own. Sad to say, Jude remains something of a cult figure, still ‘hamstrung’ by the single “Stay With Me ‘Til Dawn” from 30 years ago. She still has a devoted following though, and her concerts always sell out wherever she plays. If you do find yourself curious and wanting more, go to www.tzuke.com, where you can collect almost her entire back catalogue… try it, you won’t be disappointed.
98/100
SATANIC MUTTLEY
