Frances Ruffelle
Frances Ruffelle… 2012!
1 month ago
by Pop Cart
in Frances Ruffelle
This brand new year is already off to a blistering start for the wondrous Frances Ruffelle! Here’s a rundown of all things Frankie…
Frances is still currently starring in the Menier Chocolate Factory’s re-imagining of 70′s musical ‘Pippin’, portraying the role of Fastrada in the magnificently brilliant show that features the songs of Stephen Schwartz and the original choreography of Bob Fosse. ‘Pippin’ has been met with rave reviews since opening in November 2011 and has been a big giant hit with all that have witnessed the truly remarkable production… the staging, visual effects and choreography are phenomenal. The show feels really special when you watch it, there is such quality of conviction in the way in which has been created and put together unsurprisingly Frances shines so very magnificently in her role – it is a uniquely wonderful show and you really MUST go and see it before it closes on 25th February.
Here, you can listen to Frances and co-star Harry Hepple discuss the show and their subsequent roles with Penny Smith for the BBC Radio 2 Arts Show, broadcast in December 2011.
Tickets for the remaining few weeks of ‘Pippin’ are available directly from the Menier Chocolate Factory’s website by clicking here.
On Sunday 12th February 2012, Frances revives her completely astounding one woman show ‘Beneath The Dress’ for a one night only performance at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Originally conceived and performed in 2009 at Madame JoJo’s, Frances took the hugely successful and triumphant show to Edinburgh Festival in 2010, as well as the Bath Music Festival and the Marlborough Jazz Festival in 2011.
The show has something for everyone, it is a joyously funny, sexy and seductive piece, tongue firmly in cheek throughout and performed with the warmth, grace and passion that only Frances can deliver. Backed by her six piece band, ‘Beneath The Dress’ really is a STUNNIGLY glorious piece of work that you simply MUST experience, enjoy and savour.
More information and tickets are available from the venue website here.
Finally, in December, an EP was released of songs that were work-shopped for a musical entitled ‘Change The Day’ written by Tricia Walsh-Smith and Simon Kay. Frances appears on two of the three tracks ‘Sellin’ My Soul’ and ‘Behind The Veil’ – you can download the tracks from iTunes (UK) here and Amazon (UK) here.
Also, don’t forget that Frances’ sublime catalogue of music is now available digitally! The albums ‘Fragile’, ‘Frances Ruffelle’, ’Showgirl’, ‘Imperfectly Me’ and ‘Purify’ by paTala (a side project created with Sam Boner) can be bought from iTunes and all other good online music retailers. For more information visit Frances’ official website here.
Pop Cart’s Album’s Of The Year 2010
1 year ago
There have been many many great albums released in 2010… albums from Annie Lennox, Christina Aguilera, Katie Melua, Diana Vickers, I Blame Coco, Marina & The Diamonds, Toni Braxton, KT Tunstall, Esmée Denters, Goldfrapp, Sia, Agnes, Kylie Minogue, Lissie, Tracey Thorn, Rox, Sheryl Crow, Jessica Mauboy, Morcheeba, Sugababes, Janelle Monáe, Diane Birch, Fantasia, Sarah McLachlan, Katy Perry, Erykah Badu, Goldfrapp, Amy MacDonald and Ciara all deserve a place in the Top 5.
However, these are THE albums of 2010…
1. Eliza Doolittle – Eliza Doolittle
Eliza’s debut album is a shining gem – musically it has a touch of everything. It’s a simple yet colourful album full of charm, personality and character. Eliza’s vocals are glorious throughout too!
Eliza has worked so hard throughout the year, she seems to have been playing live somewhere almost every night of the year! Eliza is in another league when you experience her in live setting – her live vocals knock spots off the likes of Ellie and Marina – that’s why we’ve seen her perform seven times in 2010!
The album campaign, artwork and video’s have all worked in sync to create a perfect debut outing!
2. Alesha Dixon – The Entertainer
A magnificent third album… upbeat, focused, stylised and altogether completely brilliant. Production is flawless, Alesha sounds formidable and even returns to MC-ing!
3. Frances Ruffelle – Imperfectly Me
Imperfectly Me is a gorgeous album – Frances brings the classic standards to a new audience and showcases her incredible voice in the process. Heartfelt, passionate and completely delicious – an absolute treat of a record.
4. Robyn – Body Talk
The three EP’s within the space of six months was an exciting adventure. Each EP is brilliant, each sounds exciting and fresh. Together the Body Talk series is a fantastic collection of pop music, fused with experimental dance beats – superb!
5. Kelis – Flesh Tone
Flesh Tone is a remarkable record, sonically it’s relentlessly upbeat, lyrically she discusses her freedom from marriage and her newborn son without ever sounding sickly sweet, which makes for a totally thrilling ride.
Pop Cart’s Woman Of The Year 2010 – Frances Ruffelle
1 year ago
2010 belongs to the divine Ms. Frances Ruffelle, for a year where the magnitude of her brilliance shone very brightly!
This year, Frances delivered an EP and the INCREDIBLE album ‘Imperfectly Me’ – which was phenomenally brilliant (and also features as third best album of the year – see here). She also gave a month long run of sold-out show stopping performances of her impressive one-woman show ‘Beneath The Dress’ at the Edinburgh Festival as well as a triumphant homecoming performance in London. Frances appeared in the gorgeous theatre piece ‘Songs From A Hotel Bedroom’ and was also part of the twenty-fifth anniversary celebrations for Les Miserables – gracing the stage at the mammoth O2 Arena as well as appearing in the BBC documentary aired during the festive period. Other TV shows, radio, magazines and newspapers all featured this wonderful woman as well.
Frances has had a remarkable career, each role she has played or project she has embarked upon has created a new wave of people that fall in love with and adore her… for many it is how she makes people feel. Frances is gracious, kind and humble – she also has no idea how magnificent, captivating, talented and stunningly beautiful she is either!
Songs From A Hotel Bedroom
1 year ago
by Pop Cart
in Frances Ruffelle
The stunningly talented and gorgeously beautiful Frances Ruffelle is currently starring in a new production entitled ‘Songs From A Hotel Bedroom’.
The piece has already played in Watford to impressive reviews and is currently in Ispwich for a three night stint before the shows then heads to London in November.
‘Songs From A Hotel Bedroom’ centers upon “…a stylish and sophisticated post-war New York. Cabaret singer Angélique (Frances Ruffelle) relives the memories of her brief but passionate love affair with songwriter Dan (Nigel Richards), reflecting upon how her life has changed through the highs and lows, their joys, ambitions, travels and separation.”*
The show features the songs of Kurt Weill including ‘September Song’, ‘Speak Low’ and ‘I’m A Stranger Here Myself’. The tango plays a prominent part of the piece, executed by dancers Tara Pilbrow and Amir Giles.
‘Songs From A Hotel Bedroom’ is currently showing at The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich, you can book tickets here - the link also contains a radio interview with Frances, gorgeous photographs from the show and reviews – very worth checking out!
Between the 4th and 6th November (we’re very excitedly attending the show on 6th November), ‘Songs From A Hotel Bedroom’ will play at the Lindbury Theatre, Royal Opera House in London. You can get tickets here.
The show is produced by Segue, details about the show such as cast and musical numbers can be accessed by clicking here. Furthermore, you can find out more information about the piece, see up-to-date news and images by joining the official Facebook group here.
* Provided by Segue.
Delightful…
1 year ago
by Pop Cart
in Frances Ruffelle
Last night, it was an absolute joy and pleasure to spend the evening with the divine Frances Ruffelle as she performed her smash hit show ‘Beneath The Dress’ for one night only in the West End. The show was magnificent, a complete joy, a rollercoaster of a journey and it was genuinely awesome! The show was playful and funny yet often with a yearning sad undertone, and therefore the piece moved from the light into the darkness as the adventure progressed.
Frances has great timing, can command a stage and own it, the way in which she used all of the available space during the piece was brilliant, she walked or ran through the audience, sometimes teasing and tempting but always in a playful way. Frances’ voice is the real treat, truly magical, always beautiful and captivating, the woman herself happens to be the most beautiful woman in the world – she’s entrancing, it’s so difficult to take your eyes off her as she performs. It was a spectacular evening, made even more special by the guest appearance from best friend Sadie Frost and daughter Eliza Doolittle who is incredible.
Today, is finally, the day that Frances releases her fourth album ‘Imperfectly Me’. HURRAH! (Read our thoughts here).
‘Imperfectly Me’ is a stunning album, it’s so very fantastic and you MUST give it a whirl – you can listen to the album in full and buy it from we7 here.
You can download the album digitally from the following online stores, simply click on the store name to purchase from iTunes HMV Digital Amazon Play emusic 7digital Tesco Entertainment Tune Tribe. The album is also available from Napster.
Alternatively, you can purchase the physical CD direct from The Berlin Collective (Frances’ label and management), they have an account with Amazon Marketplace where you can purchase the album. The West End store Dress Circle is also selling copies – they have CD’s stocked in-store and will post the CD via mail order as well.
Go buy it now!!!
Frances Ruffelle Round-Up!
1 year ago
Happy Happy Birthday to the divine Ms. Frances Ruffelle… have a very wonderful day x
On Monday, Frances completes her month long run at the Edinburgh Festival performing the hugely successful, critically acclaimed show ‘Beneath The Dress’. Frances will be doing a special one-off homecoming performance in London on Sunday 12th September at the Garrick Theatre, ticket have gone on sale and can be bought from the venue box-office by clicking here.
On Monday 13th September, Frances will release her long-awaited and highly anticipated fourth album ‘Imperfectly Me’, which is gloriously sublime and completely delicious.
The album features eleven stunningly beautiful, superbly crafted and spine-tinglingly delivered tracks including: 1. Lucky Day, 2. It’s All Right With Me, 3. Love Me For What I Am, 4. Hit Me With A Hot Note, 5. Alabama Song, 6. What Now My Love? – Et Maitenant, 7. Mr Monotony, 8. Do It Again, 9. Slap That Bass, 10. Before I Open My Mouth, 11. Mood Indigo.
The artwork below was created by Simply Marvellous Creative, who were responsible for the recent artwork for ‘The Frances Ruffelle EP’.
One of the great things about a Frances Ruffelle album is how each record over the years has embraced a different style or genre, Frances avoids the obvious or expected and this results in material which is exciting and fresh – ‘Imperfectly Me’ pushes this notion even further, rather than choosing obvious jazz standards, Frances has chosen material that resonates with her own life and through re-interpreting these classics and adding her unique blend of charm, style and delivery, she brings them convincingly to a new audience. What is particularly lovely is the short explanation and reasons behind the choosing and recording of the songs included in the album booklet liner notes.
The album opener ‘Lucky Day’ is bold, Frances soars against the live instrumentation of the band and the Andy Strange/Jimmy Napes production, the break-down is infectious and delightful. Cole Porter’s ‘It’s All Right With Me’ is both seductive and playful – Frances emotes the pain and regret of the lyric bewitchingly. The interpretation of Duke Ellington’s ‘Hit Me With A Hot Note’ is terrific, the instrumental break shows off the band in full force – it’s a stompingly good five minutes of Frances with a big band – delightful! ‘What Now My Love – Et Maitenant’ features Frances singing in French for much of the track, she sounds so good too… the way in which the song builds to it’s dramatic and full bodied climax is exquisite! ‘Mr Monotony’ shows off Frances’ voice from quietly calm to full throttle and back again – the song is pure bliss! ‘Do It Again’ is a grand smoky number, Frances manages to evoke an image of a jazz singer in a club during the 1940′s, the melancholy lyrics suit the tones and textures within Frances’ voice perfectly. ‘Before I Open My Mouth’ is a duet with the very incredible Eliza Doolittle – mother and daughter sound AMAZING on record together, it’s a joyous number full of heart which Frances calls a “Judy-and-Liza moment” in the liner notes! Closing track ‘Indigo Mood’ is a slow burning number with a fantastic extended trumpet solo.
‘Imperfectly Me’ is a very fine album indeed… it’s lovingly created, cleverly conceived and wonderfully produced – the live feel to the recording creates a rich texture and frames Frances’ sensational vocals beautifully. Each spin reveals something new and exciting and the journey from beginning to end is a complete thrill. Bravo Ms. Frankie Ruff!
You can pre-order ‘Imperfectly Me’ from iTunes by clicking here and will be available from 13th September.
What Are You Waiting For?
1 year ago
by Pop Cart
in Frances Ruffelle
The extremely amazing Frances Ruffelle is wowing audiences at this year’s Edinburgh Festival with her smash hit show ‘Beneath The Dress’. When initially performed in the West End last year, it was one of the best shows we’ve ever witnessed… the reviews so far for the run in Edinburgh have been spectacular with the Public Reviews awarding 5 stars – you can read it here.
Before departing for Edinburgh, Whatsonstage.com spoke to Frances about ‘Beneath The Dress’ (amongst other things) and it’s very much worth watching – Hogan (the puppy) is too cute!
You MUST join the ‘Beneath The Dress’ Facebook group here in order to keep up-to-date with all of the news and developments as the festival unfolds.
If you’re going to Edinburgh to this years festival be SURE to see Frances in ‘Beneath The Dress’ – it’s utterly brilliant! You can find out all the information by visiting The Pleasance at Ghille-Dhu’s (the venue) website here.
The Frances Ruffelle EP
1 year ago
by Pop Cart
in Frances Ruffelle
It was difficult to sleep last night, not because we’re off on holiday today (see you in a few weeks) BUT because TODAY, the divine Ms. Frances Ruffelle releases her first new music since 2004! HURRAH!
‘The Frances Ruffelle EP’ is a glorious collection of classic songs delivered as only Frances can… with warmth, character and passion. Frances’ voice shines and soars throughout this four track EP, she has a wonderful ability to make you feel… her voice resonates and transports you to new and exciting places – whether it be on the bold and striking ‘Lucky Day’, the playful and seductive ‘Alabama Song’ or the pure emotional ballad ‘Love Me For What I Am’, Frances proves why she has been able to sustain such an impressive career within an often fickle industry. The production, arrangement and instrumentation on the four tracks has been loving crafted to frame the songs as well as Frances’ sensationally beautiful voice.
The EP is a completely superb… it’s a joy to hear and is a perfect indicator of what to expect from Frances’ forthcoming album ‘Imperfectly Me’. You should definitely invest in the EP, you can listen in full and buy at we7. You can also download it by clicking on the store names to buy… iTunes Play Amazon 7 Digital Tesco Digital The EP is also available from Napster.
You can download the full artwork created by Simply Marvellous Creative, which includes writing and production credits, from Frances’ label/management The Berlin Collective by clicking here.