old movie tunes given new life

In addition to his other talents, when it comes to making up a programme of songs from movies, Joe Stilgoe is a master. He pulled it off two years ago with his live album Songs On Film, and he's done it again with its sequel. From Pulp Fiction to The Muppets, Sweet Charity to Whiplash, every one comes as a delightful surprise. The treatments are ingenious, while managing to retain the essential character of each song, and Stilgoe, on piano, leads a very good jazz trio, with bassist Tom Farmer and drummer Ben Reynolds. His singing style - open, expressive, humorous - is exactly right, too. Even dedicated non-jazz lovers will find this irresistible.