JAMES POOLE, “I Put A Spell On You”
UK singer James Poole is full of surprises. So for a Hallowe’en treat, James brings us his rendition of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ classic 50’s R&B tune “I Put A Spell On You”. The song has never really been a big hit in any version in North America, though the UK saw hits of it by Alan Price in the 60’s and Sonique in 2000. Nina Simone also recorded a well-respected version in the 60’s. I love the original song and it’s a hard one to sing, so I was a tad iffy about an adaptation of it, since I’ve heard other versions of the song come off like huge soggy noodles instead of powerful and eerie and fiery. Well, James tackles this beast of a song, and boy does he slay it in his own soulful and jazzy rendition. He shows off his spectacular high register vocal technique like no other song that I’ve heard him sing yet. It’s suitably creepy for Hallowe’en, yet James teases when he briefly brings down his vocal. “I Put A Spell On You” continues to increase the ‘wow’ factor for James, and I for one am looking forward to the release of his record when it comes, all in good time. In the meantime, be sure to put “I Put A Spell On You” on your must-hear list. Just for comparison’s sake, you can also listen to another fine version, by New Zealand singer Willy Moon, below.
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