In House #1590: Sondre Lerche's The Duper Sessions

Norwegian singer-songwriter and former wunderkind Sondre Lerche is back with his third release, The Duper Sessions, out recently on the AstralWerks label. Lerche was a mere teenager (19) when his debut, Faces Down, appeared in 2002 to the acclaim of many. His latest, however, is something of a departure stylistically from those first two albums-- recorded, not by coincidence, with the Faces Down Quartet, The Duper Sessions is a more or less straight ahead jazz affair, or at least Lerche's version of that.

The album collects jazz-tinged pop originals, as well as a few covers, as Lerche makes what seems to be an effortless transition to "crooner." Even the cover photo evokes memories of a late fifties Sinatra effort, Lerche apeing Frank with his collar open as the candids pop while he makes a suggestion or two to the orchestra. Of particular interest is his jazz reading of Elvis Costello's "Human Hands," orginally on the Attractions' Imperial Bedroom, as well as a spot-on version of "The More I See You," clearly modeled on the version made famous by Chet Baker. Lerche also has plans for a more conventional guitar pop release later in the year (lest the too-cool-for-school hipsters lose their patience, such as it is, with him).


In House #1590.
Airdate: 4/3/06
Focus: New release from Sondre Lerche & the Faces Down Quartet, The Duper Sessions, plus the latest from Elvis Costello, Rhett Miller, Casey Dienel and more.

BONUS MP3-
Sondre Lerche & the Faces Down Quartet:
"Human Hands" (MP3) (Elvis Costello cover)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #83