Roberta Flack - Lost Takes

by Zena Grieg

published: 8 / 3 / 2024

Label: Brownswood Recordings
Format: CD

intro

Enthralling collection from Roberta Flack which brings together the 1968 demos which made up her debut album ‘First Take’

Iconic singer-songwriter and musician, four-time Grammy Award winner Roberta Flack retired from performing in 2022 following a diagnosis of motor neurone disease, which made it “impossible to sing”. In celebration of an illustrious career, a set of early recordings, ‘Lost Takes’, has just been released. The production of the album was overseen by respected French broadcaster Gilles Peterson: “Imagine the excitement when I saw Roberta had recorded a version of 'Afro Blue' during her demo sessions for ‘First Take’ …and then some”. The album brings together the 1968 demos which made up her debut album ‘First Take’, released in 1969 when she was twenty-one, which included her million-selling cover of Ewan MacColl’s ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’. The early tracks were featured on a 2020 reissue of ‘First Take’ but are now available as a stand-alone and in vinyl. Highlights of this twelve-track collection include: the opener and show tune ‘This Could Be The Start of Something’’; a slowed-down, show-stopping rendition of ‘Nobody Knows You when You’re Down And Out’; a hauntingly expressive rendition of the lullaby ‘Hush-A-Bye’; Peterson favourite, charismatic ‘Afro Blue’; On The Street Where You Live’ (from ‘My Fair Lady’) on which she also showcases her talent as a pianist; the intense, soulful ‘Frankie and Johnny’; a classy take on the Motown classic ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough ‘ with a skilful blend of R&B and jazz; and an inventive, melancholy interpretation of ‘To Sir With Love’. Absorbing, rousing, with an unforgettable sense of soul, ‘Lost Takes’ is a welcome addition to the impressive catalogue of this enthralling musician.

Track Listing:-

1 This Could Be The Start Of Something
2 Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
3 Hush-A-Bye
4 Afro Blue
5 It's Way Past Suppertime
6 On The Street Where You Live
7 Frankie And Johnny
8 The House Song
9 Ain't No Mountain High Enough
10 The Song Is Love
11 To Sir With Love
12 Groove Me

Band Links:-

https://www.robertaflack.com/
https://www.facebook.com/robertaflackmusic
https://twitter.com/Roberta_Flack
https://www.instagram.com/officialrobertaflack