With an all-American band Claire Martin delves even deeper into a world she knows so well, the inspirational Great American Songbook. The singer talks to Peter Quinn about a return to recording in New York and working with the great Kenny Barron for the first time

It’s funny how a simple twist of fate can subtly redefine a recording session. Famously, it was en route to the Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, that John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman heard Nat King Cole singing ‘Lush Life’ on the radio and immediately decided to include it on their recording. It was one of only six songs that made it on the album, all first takes with the exception of ‘You Are Too Beautiful’ (Elvin Jones dropped a drumstick). Despite the lack of rehearsal, their version of ‘Lush Life’ is widely regarded as being one of the finest.

Almost half a century later, Claire Martin and Kenny Barron meet in the lobby of New York’s Algonquin Hotel to discuss songs for their forthcoming album. Claire hurriedly scribbles their suggestions down on the back of a napkin. Cut to the recording session at Avatar Studios, and Claire hears Kenny playing ‘Too Late Now’ (not on their list) as a warm-up. The song is now the drop-dead gorgeous closing track of Too Much in Love to Care (Claire Martin Sings with Kenny Barron). And if there’s a finer recording of Lane and Lerner’s 1950 classic, I’d love to hear it.

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