Hazel O’Connor

To Release New Album

Here She Comes! ‘Breaking Glass’ star Hazel O’Connor is back for the third album with saxophonist Claire Hirst and pianist Sarah Fisher, with an assortment of poignant originals and heartfelt covers that will leave no human soul untouched. The album is released on Strike Force Entertainment through Cherry Red Records on 3rd March.

The successful collaboration between O’Connor, long time friend and saxophonist Clare Hirst (The Belle Stars, Communards, David Bowie) and pianist Sarah Fisher (Eurythmics, Sax In The City) came to life in 2008 to feed Hazel’s love of jazz once again. Since then, the prolific singer-actress has been touring extensively with the talented female trio, next to other projects including ‘Beyond Breaking Glass’.

Here She Comes features new co-written tracks including In The Still Of The Night, Going Home, Don’t You Call Me Darling and Call Out Your Name; tales of longing, loss, regret and unrequited love, powerfully delivered with the passion and depth of O’Connor’s trademark voice. The experience and cohesion of this unique trio then allows them to embark in some ambitious covers, boldly honouring classics Perfect Day andGood Morning Heartache.

On this new record O’Connor creatively embraces all of her diverse influences, from Lou Reed to Billie Holiday, Tom Waits and the French chanson, while five years of touring together make her, Hirst and Fisher into one, heavenly voice. Here She Comes brings back the sheer magic of Hazel’s ‘Breaking Glass’ days, yet takes a considerable step into further developing these ladies’ warm, vibrant jazz vibes into a signature sound of its own.

English singer-songwriter and actress Hazel O’Connor rose to fame in 1980 acting and writing the soundtrack for the acclaimed movie Breaking Glass, for which she won the Variety Club of Great Britain Award for Best Film Actor and BAFTA nominations for Best Newcomer and Best Film Score. The album reached No.5 in the UK charts where it stayed for 28 weeks, earning double platinum status and O’Connor toured hiring a then unknown Birmingham band, Duran Duran, as support. Breaking Glass included hit singles Will You and Eighth Day. Shortly after she released album Sons and Lovers – including hit single D Days – followed by Cover Plus, Smile, Private Wars and Five in the Morning with record producer, co-writer and guitarist Gerard Kiely. Over the past decade O’Connor has been successfully touring with autobiographical show Beyond the Broken Glass and other musical projects, she’s appeared at Glastonbury and starred in the 1980 – Here and Now tour. Her theatre work includes One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest at the Royal Exchange in Manchester.

‘How great is this album??? Marvellous Indeed!!’ – comments ex-band mate and bass legend Herbie Flowers on the album’s booklet. ‘This ain’t no girlie power thing, this is women power!’ concludes Hazel herself, enthusiastically introducing this exciting new chapter of her work. As the three artists mature into one musical reality to be reckoned with, we couldn’t agree more.

Track listing:

1. I Call Out Your Name (O’Connor / Hirst / Fisher) 2. To Be Freed (O’Connor) 3. Don’t You Call Me Darling (O’Connor / Hirst / Fisher) 4. Still Of The Night (O’Connor / Hirst / Fisher) 5. My friend Jack (O’Connor) 6. Good Morning Heartache (Irene Higginbotham / Ervin Drake / Dan Fisher) 7. World Upside Down (O’Connor) 8. Ne Me Quitte Pas (Jacques Brel) 9. Perfect Day (Lou Reed) 3.45 10. Going Home (O’Connor / Hirst / Fisher)

Hazel begins her 21 date, Here She Comes UK Tour on 15th February at The Cambria in London. Dates continue to 12th April – full details HERE.

http://www.hazeloconnor.com