It's a Man's World is the outstanding new album by multi award-winning jazz singer and songwriter Becki Biggins.
It is a collection of songs written, inspired and made famous by men, including Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, Glenn Campbell and Elvis, performed by a woman comfortable enough in her own skin to celebrate them.
Becki's four original songs, detailing the life of a 40-something woman in the 21st Century, and described by London Jazz News as 'a definite highlight', have been championed by BBC Radio.
A mix of anthemic jazz-pop originals and gospel-tinged arrangements of classics, performed by an exceptional organ trio, 'It's a Man's World' is a must-listen.
It’s a Man’s World Liner Notes
THIS ALBUM WAS BORN from an idea I first remember having whilst being sat on the living room floor in my partner, Andy’s, old flat in Yate. It wasn’t a particularly nice flat, so this memory of it is one of the best. I decided that singing classic men’s songs in a jazz style was the way to go, and the project would be called It’s a Man’s World, after the Sarah Vaughan album of the same name.
It was an idea I revisited a few times over the next 10 years, but it wasn’t until an inauspicious duo gig with John-Paul Gard - who plays the blues like nobody I’ve ever heard before - that the fuse was really lit. A remarkably drunk Bristolian heckler became the catalyst for the project when he loudly slurred, ‘Play me some Elvis’ during a gig. Right then, as we busked I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You, It’s a Man’s World finally became more reality than dream. I recruited Andy Tween, JP recruited Ben Waghorn, and a few months later we were complete.
Following a successful summer of touring in 2019, we were due to record the album in April 2020, and then… Covid. Not to be put off, we decided we could record remotely, and Andy would be able to seamlessly mix it all together. So, over the summer of 2020, that’s exactly what happened; first JP recorded his parts, then Andy, then myself, then Ben, then Mike and finally Bryan.
So, here it is – an album of songs written, inspired and made famous by men, by a woman who feels comfortable enough in her own skin to celebrate them – recorded during lockdown and handed to you now that all that shit is finally over.
My thanks to JP, Andy and Ben, not only for your beautiful playing, but equally for your mystifying belief in this project and for your friendship, none of which will ever be taken for granted. To Mike, for your stunning guest appearance, and to Bryan for making FURIOUS as dirty as was intended, thank you. To Martin, Andy, Bob, Mano, Isabel, and Dan, for your skills, your inspiration and for saying yes.
Thanks to ‘my’ Andy for your continued love and support, despite having years ago come to the startling realisation that jazz singers are neither as cool nor as glamorous as you first thought (and certainly nowhere near as wealthy). And to my kids, Archie and Hunter, who have made all things possible. This one’s for you, my boys.
Becki Biggins, October 2022
credits
releases November 18, 2022
Vocals & clarinet – Becki Biggins
Organ – John-Paul Gard
Saxophones & Flute – Ben Waghorn
Drums & Percussion – Andy Tween
Flügelhorn on I Almost Took a Lover – Mike Davis
Trumpet on FURIOUS – Bryan Corbett
Arrangements by John-Paul Gard, except You Should Be Married By Now, arranged by Malcolm Edmonstone
Mixed by Andy Tween
Mastered by Bob Macc at Subvert Mastering
Photographs by Martin Hartley, shoot Make-up by Isabel While and Location by Good Spaces
Extra Photos & Footage by Andy Gayler Film
Artwork by Dan Keep
