Caro Emerald - Dutch singer

[doesnotcompute]

Interesting story behind this young lady's rise to fame. Wiki Article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caro_Emerald)

She's been known here in NL for a year or so, and recently went triple platinum breaking Michael Jackson's record for longest album at number 1 (26 weeks).

I believe the album was launched in the UK last week, and know that Radio2 has been plugging it quite a bit. They will be supporting Katie Melua's next UK tour.

Here's the tune that started it all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo1cyl0QbWo

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She/they do quite a lot of live radio appearances, so here's a tune from the album, with a different feel, from a tiny studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPxT7jWE0O4

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I saw her perform live at the North Sea Jazz Festival this year, and they were amazing (despite the fact it was 35 degrees c outside and god knows how much inside):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukTVvc9SXJg

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So, how are they being received in the UK?

[RomerojpgX]

Heard a cracking song on Radio 2, tried to write down the details, got home and googled it and came out with Caro Emerald.

Glad I did, the albums lovely and some of the songs are pretty damn wonderful. No idea if anyone else has heard her, bought her etc.. Cannot say a word on how well the album is doing, how it was reviewed etc... as I aint heard nothing about her before that one song on Radio 2.

Get her on Jools Holland I say, we all know that will help :D

[doesnotcompute]

I've just noticed that the Wiki article is remiss in not mentioning that she approached many record companies who liked her demo but, ultimately turned her down. Those that showed interest, had really bad marketing plans, so, they decided to produce the album themselves. She ended up being Singer, Agent, Tour Manager, Publicist all at the same time.

It's certainly my album of the year.

I've got tickets to see her a few days before Xmas and can't wait - the live sound is really awesome, deep vibrant bass and the DJ parts really come through nice and clear.

[ColinP]

My review of the album is live this weekend - will post as soon as I have a link :)

[danielsesay]

I think I first heard Back It Up when I was in Belgium last month (or when I was listening to some Flemish radio at home). It's a good song. I will have to check out her album. :)

[doesnotcompute]

Get her on Jools Holland I say, we all know that will help :D

She'd be great on Jools.

My review of the album is live this weekend - will post as soon as I have a link :)

It had better be glowing ;)

[ColinP]

It had better be glowing ;)

You'll have to wait and see ;)

[ColinP]

http://www.themusicfix.co.uk/content/review/12117/caro-emerald.html

:)

[doesnotcompute]

I'm liking the score very much and agree with most of your comments, although, I wonder if your categorisation will turn some people off. For sure, it is Big Band jazz, and very authentic/classic sounding (although the DJ'd parts give it a modern twist, something you don't mention) - but I'm not a big jazz fan, let alone a Big Band fan, and I *love* this album. I think it's a very accessible album, despite the labels it rightfully acquires.

[KennyVader]

She was just on the BBC Radio 2 Radcliffe and Maconie show according to her facebook page.

I missed it but it should appear on iplayer at http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/radio/bbc_radio_two/20101019 8pm slot soon.


edit: direct link http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/vc350/ and skip to about 37 minutes in.

[RomerojpgX]

Quality live work.

[ColinP]

Got a great competition lined up for you guys ;)

Should be online soon.

[ColinP]

<A href="http://music.thedigitalfix.co.uk/content/competition/12171/winsigned-copy-of-caro-emeralds-album.html">Win one of four SIGNED copies of Caro Emerald's debut</a>

:)

[doesnotcompute]

I've just seen that they already sold out the extra night, so are now playing a third night at Amsterdam's Heineken Music Hall - not bad going.

[doesnotcompute]

<A href="http://music.thedigitalfix.co.uk/content/competition/12171/winsigned-copy-of-caro-emeralds-album.html">Win one of four SIGNED copies of Caro Emerald's debut</a>

:)

Closing date: 00-00-0000 - err......

[RomerojpgX]

She is doing pretty darned good in other countries, numbers 1's in a few countries now (not UK obviously haha)

Well still no UK tour near me on the card

This will have to do then - 3 Disc - DVD/Blu Ray + CD!
http://preview.caroemerald.com/dvd

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Wh6NEPteEYM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[doesnotcompute]

I note that the album recently went quintuple (5x) platinum here in NL - and lasted 30 weeks on the number 1 spot - quite an achievement for a debut album.

I see also that they've made the BBC "A playlist" for next week too: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/music/playlist/next-week/ on 35 BBC stations.

As for touring - that's not going to happen, she recently had surgery to remove a polyp from her throat, so she's not going to be performing for quite a while. Incidentally, I saw the last gig of the year in December and it was pretty good. They've gotten better and better, more polished (although I'm comparing to a gig at North Sea Jazz which was 35 degree ambient heat) - but still have a fun, vibrant edge.

[doesnotcompute]

I see that the UK onslaught is taking shape (complete with a mention of TDF!):

http://caroemerald.com/news/good-signs-from-the-uk

[doesnotcompute]

I note that the album made #10 in the (uk) album charts today - up from #140 last week. Quite an impressive feat!

[KennyVader]

She was on This Morning this week

[RomerojpgX]

Crikey how did the album jump that high? has she been doing the media round on UK TV and radio? well apart from This Mornin :D

[doesnotcompute]

She just tweeted that they've just gone Gold in the UK.

edit: Skip to 14:00 mins into this BBC interview: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/12550706

[KennyVader]

Finally doing some UK gigs.

Camden Jazz Cafe in August - sold out (not sure when this was announced).
Shepherds Bush Empire in December - £22.00 per ticket.

[RomerojpgX]

She is hanging on in the UK Top 10 album charts vwry well! Really hope even more dates and benues are announced.

[doesnotcompute]

December 13th - Shepherds Bush.

[doesnotcompute]

I hear she's up to number 4 in the UK charts now...

[KennyVader]

December 13th - Shepherds Bush.

Fantastic performance at Shepherd's Bush Empire last night. She has a terrific bunch of musicians performing with her as well. Nice cover of Amy Winehouse's 'Love Is A Losing Game' by way of a tribute, as a second encore.

You come out of something like this feeling really sorry for people that think X-Factor is all there is to music :(

[hallanthony]

This will have to do then - 3 Disc - DVD/Blu Ray + CD!
http://preview.caroemerald.com/dvd

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Wh6NEPteEYM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Did anyone pick this 3 disc set up, wondered what the quality of the blu-ray was like :thumbs:

I noticed a new version of her album is now out in the UK with a second disk of this concert on DVD but if the blu is good then happy to pay for that :)