Formerly an English teacher, Linda Hoyle joined the jazz-rock band Affinity in the late ’60s and began performing regularly at Ronnie Scott’s world-famous jazz club. Affinity would release their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album on Vertigo in 1970, leading to regular tours across Europe. However by 1971, Hoyle had enough of the tour life and called it quits from the band. Club owner Ronnie Scott then recommended Hoyle to link up with composer Karl Jenkins to work on a solo album. Pieces of Me is a jazz-rock cult classic (also one of the rarest Vertigo records) featuring Jenkins on piano along with his bandmates from legendary progressive jazz-rock band Nucleus. Hoyle showcases her versatility as a singer paying tribute to Nina Simone on opener “Backlash Blues” while also powering through more progressive numbers, like the amazing title track, and also throwing in a bit of stride jazz on closer “Barrel House Music.”
Recommended – Full Listen
A1 Backlash Blues
A2 Paper Tulips
A3 Black Crow
A4 For My Darling
A5 Pieces Of Me
B1 Lonely Women
B2 Hymn To Valerie Solanas
B3 The Ballad Of Marty Mole
B4 Journey’s End
B5 Morning For One
B6 Barrel House Music
Arranged By [Orchestra], Conductor – Karl Jenkins
Bass, Electric Bass – Jeff Clyne
Drums, Percussion – John Marshall
Engineer – Roger Wake
Guitar – Chris Spedding
Photography By – James Wedge
Piano – Colin Purbrook (tracks: B6)
Piano, Electric Piano, Oboe – Karl Jenkins
Producer – Pete King
Written-By – Jenkins* (tracks: A2 to A5, B2 to B5), Nyro* (tracks: B1), Hoyle* (tracks: A2 to A5, B2 to B5), Bailey* (tracks: B6), Simone* (tracks: A1)