By guest writer: James Kabat

The landscape of pop music can often be compared to a gladiator arena where the weak are squashed and only the strong survive. In today’s age, pop divas come and go faster than one can blink with few remaining relevant past a season, let alone a year. When pondering to come up with a list of names of women fortunate enough to remain in the spotlight for over a decade one often thinks of Madonna, Britney, or even Christina, yet few Americans will mention a name that has been here for almost as long as the reigning queen Madonna herself: Aussie pop goddess, Kylie Minogue. Although not as famous in the US or as successful as her older contemporary, yet equally entertaining, trend-setting and perhaps, a bit less aggressive, she has managed to create and sustain one of the most successful careers in pop music history. Throughout the years Minogue has recorded eleven studio albums, released numerous compilations of her hits (most recently The Best of Kylie Minogue), won a Grammy, survived cancer, and wowed audiences around the globe with her elaborate and spectacular shows earning the adoration of millions and the respect of her peers young and old alike (Madonna, Beyonce and Gaga have all been paying attention).

As 2012 marks a landmark 25 years in Kylie’s career, the Aussie singer has taken the time to spoil fans with multiple surprises including an “Anti-tour” of her lesser known recordings and B-sides, the overnight release of her explosive single “Timebomb,” the aforementioned greatest hits compilation The Best of Kylie Minogue, and now an album full of orchestral reworkings of her hits entitled The Abbey Road Sessions. Recorded in the legendary London studios where the Beatles have created some of their biggest hits, the offering showcases Kylie’s vocals and her songs’ sugary melodies with the help of Kylie’s band and a full orchestra. Previewed earlier this month’s at BBC’s Proms In The Park concert, the album includes newly rearranged Kylie classics such as the debut hit “The Loco-Motion,” “Hand On Your Heart,” and 90’s dance classic “Better The Devil You Know,” along with global dance smashes “Can’t Get You Out of My Head,” “Love At First Sight” and “Slow.” Also included are 2010’s melodic “All The Lovers,” a fully rerecorded new version of Nick Cave and Kylie’s 1998 duet “Where The Wild Roses Grow” and a previously unreleased rarity “Flower” which will now serve as a single off the album and see a proper release.

Although the album lacks the production values and club beats that have helped her earn countless awards and nine number ones on Billboard’s Dance/Club Play Songs chart it clearly proves that without them she still remains triumphant. Always self-aware but never overconfident, she allows her voice to create a warm and joyous mood that has made millions of her devoted fans around the globe to fall in love with her over and over again.

The Abbey Road Sessions is available November 6, 2012 on Astralwerks.
 

 

 

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