From the Herald Sun of 18/11, story in Hit by Cameron Adams:
Earlier this year a rumour surfaced that Kylie had recorded a jazz album, the theory being that she was bored with pop. Then there's another theory that after her greatest-hits album and tour, she will close off the pop chapter of her career and move into a more mature genre such as, yes, jazz.
Kylie Minogue: discuss.
``Well, I might. I find it comforting that I have options. There are a lot of things I'd love to do and before people say, `Like what?' I don't really know yet.
``I've done some different jazz and cabaret recordings, which I know sounds terrible when you say it . . .''
She previewed her jazz flirtations at a party for fashion label Chloe in Paris, performing cover songs including Peel Me a Grape.
Pushed, she admits to wanting to take an extended break, but not retire.
``I don't think I would retire from pop. I honestly don't know. I'm not good at projecting the future. There are a lot more pressing matters in the meantime, but when I reach that stage, that's what inspires me: the unknown. What will I do?
``But I enjoyed (jazz) and it is the most unlikely thing for me to do, but when I did it, it was received really well. And because it's so unlikely, it worked.''
Kylie recorded a handful of jazz standards to see how they went.
``I had no intention of talking about it but they are done, just as demos. A lot of research has to go into recording any of those standards and in the process of doing that I felt really challenged, really inspired and, surprisingly, some songs I thought would suit me didn't and others I thought `Hmm' worked really well.
``I had the internet going, books going, piles of CDs and DVDs -- you need to respect that genre and do your homework. I know there's a stigma attached to doing that kind of music, I'm sure some jazz purists would be up in arms, but I've had challenges and obstacles like that all along. I've just dabbled in it. It might lead nowhere, but at the time I had a week and thought that's what I would do.
``I mean, I know it's trendy now and you don't want to look like you're getting on a bandwagon. But even back to interpreting I Should Be So Lucky as a torch song or Better the Devil You Know as a big swing tap number, it started then.
``It's a strong a reference as rock and roll or dance music. As a vocalist it's so challenging to take a standard that's called a standard for a very good reason -- you don't want to veer off too much from it -- and yet the point is that everyone has to interpret it in their way.
``There's a contradiction there that is really compelling.''
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Getting on a bandwagon, Kylie? Why ever would we think that?
I know the J word causes problems within the jazz community itself, and it's only a word.
But in this case, I'm sorry, its usurption by pop culture gets right up my nose.
Fucking hell ... what makes these twits think that making jazz or a jazz album is simply matter opening their gobs up on a bunch of standards?
And of couse, the "product" will not abide by even the slackest definition of jazz - it will be prerecorded, it won't swing and there won't be any improvisation. It'll be pop record with saxophone solos.
Jamie Cullum, The Bubble Boy, Rod Stewart, Linda Ronstadt, Robbie Williams - fuck 'em all!
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