Whatever Happened to Romance?

Victoria Hart’s audience may be much wider than diehard Jazz fans

It seems quite possible that the name of Victoria Hart will become pretty famous in the most nearest future. The attempts of this 18-years-old songstress to win fame on musical pursuit won’t pass unnoticed, that’s quite obvious. Victoria’s debut album Whatever Happened To Romance? is a sufficiently original and strong record, which is indeed capable to grab everyone’s attention. It’s not a trite pop, weird alternative or classic rock exercises – look deeper – Victoria tries to reproduce the sound of 30’s and 40’s. She’s got a pretty strong jazz vocal and a full-fledged big-band support. Victoria attracted wide mass-media attention at the recent Cannes Film Festival when she was sinning before the cast of Ocean's 13 and literaly enchanted Cloony, Pitt and all the others. And of course this helped Victoria to promote herself and became a subject of bidding struggle between no less than three record companies. Today Victoria is constantly giving concerts in England and continental Europe with her band consisting of 15 veteran jazzmen but her music’s character may appeal to a much wider audience than that of diehard Jazz fans, her songs are able to attract masses.

Success always means hard work

It is worth saying that most of the news stories concerning Victoria Hart and especially her success in Cannes are having quite a one–sided character. Almost every article represents her as a fortune’s favorite who was unexpectedly offered a job of a singer at one of the world’s starriest parties, where she has immediately won her lucky ticket. And almost nobody mentions about another side of the coin for some reason. Victoria’s story says that three years ago she was discovered by a producer, musician and composer Geoff Gurd who was literally floored by her aptitude for singing. Without thinking twice he invited her to his studio where they tried to record couple of songs. Victoria inspired Gurd so much that he decided to lead Victoria through all the hardships of musical industry and get back into business. Since then Victoria and Gurd produced raft of material and finally made her debut solo album Whatever Happened To Romance which is comprised of those very songs that caused a recent stir around Victoria. As far as you can see even a lucky coincidence of circumstances cannot make you way to success that easy and fast. So she has a claim on a new big thing status by rights.

Romantic pop jazz for masses

So what about the album itself? As it was mentioned earlier Whatever Happened To Romance? offers a collection of songs in the vein of popular jazz music of 30’s and 40’s. Everything is done on a plain and accessible level and perhaps this is the main advantage of the album. The music comes in easily, there are no those famous Jazz complexities. The brightest and one of the most memorable compositions of the album is the very first self-titled track Whatever Happened To Romance? The song corresponds to the described stylistics in the fullest measure. Such tracks as Chocolates And Strawberries, Wonderful and Not My Fault may be also referred to it; these are precisely those compositions that make the album so irresistibly retro attractive. There are many songs composed for a so to say cut lineup – it means less brass and more bass and guitars. Sunny Afternoon, Two Time Blues and Smooth Talker for instance turned out to be really good ones. In fact, the album features no disastrous songs as such, everything sounds very nice and pleasant. As regards Victoria Hart’s vocals, she indeed possess a superb and potentially strong voice, which perfectly suites to the chosen stylistics, however, one may notice that she suffers lack of experience a little bit. If we’ll try to compare her vocal with that of China Forbes from Pink Martini, a band, which also works with retro styles, than Victoria surely looks less professional. The album’s undeniable advantage is the amazingly attractive atmosphere that it offers – something one could call a romantic pop jazz for masses. Whatever Happened To Romance? Will be suitable almost everywhere – at the gust nights and in your house, it is equally good both as background music and for individual listening. The album can recommended fro those who like lounge and soft jazz music. It is interesting, original and even glamorous.