Holding Back the Years

by

Jimmy Scott

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I first stumbled across "Little" Jimmy Scott thanks to a friend who sent me a copy of All The Way, one of the most beautiful albums I own. I was immediately taken in by Scott's voice, a high, lonesome, silky instrument that can wring tears out of the most cold-hearted cad. I then bought the equally superb Lost & Found, a great album filled with stuff Jimmy had recorded in the early seventies which saw very limited release. Again, that album blew me away thanks to a sumptuous reading of "Unchained Melody" that made me completely forget The Righteous Borthers' version. Dream was another winner with broody production and gritty edges that suited Jimmy's voice to a tee. Heaven was a little more problematic, the songs a trifle unsure, the production a shade clinical. Holding Back The Years is a fine album of great modern-day (for the most part) covers. It's astounding to hear Jimmy emote his way through Bryan Ferry's "Slave To Love" and Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U" And, after the shock of hearing him sing "Jealous Guy" wears off, you listen to the album again. And again. And again. You think: "How effortless, how passionate. How sad, how beautiful." That's the power of Jimmy Scott. Aren't a fan? Never heard of him? Think of what you're missing! Gorgeous.